VAFA 2022: PEGS honour Mitch Williams with armbands, big wins over Kew

A VAFA club has carried the spirit of a club stalwart with them in a rousing victory in its first match after his shock death, wearing special armbands and pausing for a minute’s silence.

A Victorian Amateur Football League club has put on a stirring display for a late club stalwart and claimed a memorable victory in its first match since his shock death.

Wearing special armbands with his name on them and the club’s colours, Pentleigh and Essendon Grammar honoured former assistant coach Mitch Williams in their division one away match against ladder leaders Kew at JJ Higgins Reserve on Saturday.

Both clubs’ division one and reserves sides gathered in the middle of the field for a minute’s silence prior to the 2pm match to honour Mr Williams, 34, who tragically collapsed at his Greenvale home on July 9.

The reserves team rose to a 15-point win, 11.8-74 to 9.5-59, while the division one side were also too strong for the Bears by 37 points, prevailing 13.12-90 to 7.11-53.

PEGS’ two other sides, its under 19s and third division teams, also recorded victories on Saturday.

PEGS president Damien Cerantonio said the club was determined to perform strongly for Mr Williams after last week’s bye.

Mr Williams played 50 games for the club and was assistant coach in the club’s 2017 premiership win.

“It’s our first opportunity to play since Mitch’s passing, it’s given us a bit of time to grieve and comprehend what happened,” Mr Cerantonio said.

“They (Kew) have been great all week and we really appreciate it to have both teams line up for him (pre-game), it’s been a nice way to acknowledge Mitch.

“We’re never going to forget him, and nothing’s going to bring him back, but his memories will stick with us for a long time, and he’ll always be with the club and his mates.”

Mr Cerantonio said the armbands were a “small gesture” to show the club’s support for Mr Williams’ family including his widow Casey and daughters Lila, 3, and Zoe, 1.

“We wanted all the players today to play with Mitch in the back of their mind,” he said.

“It’s a small little gesture to show his family and his closest friends away from the club that we’re all thinking of him and that he made a huge impact.”

PEGS division one head coach Len Hannah said after the first quarter his players wanted to give Mr Williams a “special send off”.

“The guys who have been coached by Mitch a few years ago, this has been a really crushing experience for them … they’re definitely locked in,” Hannah said.

Players and officials honoured former assistant coach Mitch Williams in their division one away match against ladder leaders Kew at JJ Higgins Reserve.

“The seconds have come up and defeated an undefeated team, so it’s started right from the reserves level, they were right into it today, and the same with this group here.

“It’s a special send off to us because he was so important to us.”

More than 1000 people are tipped to attend Mr Williams’ funeral at Arise Church in Keilor Park on Monday from 10am, with his wake to be held immediately afterwards at the footy club’s base on Wright Rd.

Mr Cerantonio said the club would also stage a further tribute to Mr Williams at their next home game against Prahran Assumption on August 6.

More than 720 people have donated to a MyCause fundraiser for Mr Williams’ family, which had received $137,370 as of Saturday evening.