“I’M IN a great headspace.”

Getting better on the field each week and with a young family to come home to off it, Zac Williams has a smile on his face.

Fresh off arguably his best performance since his Opening Round return, Williams - whose crucial play kickstarted a run of three Carlton goals against Fremantle - is just happy to be representing his boyhood Navy Blue.

With two-year-old Ayla often the life of the party in the Carlton rooms post-match, plus life as a married man after tying the knot with Rachel over the off-season, things are going great for Williams after a wretched run.

Speaking to media on Tuesday at IKON Park, Williams was asked if he was mentally in the best spot during recent times.

“I think so, especially over the past two years, dealing with injuries and obviously the personal stuff that happened in my life,” Williams said.

“My home life with my little girl and wife, it’s pretty awesome being the dad of a two-year-old. I don’t really get much downtime, which I love!

“I go from footy to home life and I can switch off pretty quickly. I’ve got my hands full! I’m in a really good headspace.

“I’m focusing on week to week, playing footy, making sure I’m backing up at training and getting out there amongst the boys.”

It’s a far cry from where Williams found himself not least from a footy standpoint 12 months ago, rehabbing an ACL injury sustained back in February during the Club’s Sunshine Coast pre-season camp.

Prior to his comeback in Opening Round, Williams had played just one game in 18 months, so the chance to run out each week is something that isn’t lost on him.

That’s not just on game day, either, but also throughout the week alongside his teammates in training.

“It’s really good. Rehab last year was a pretty lonely place, especially when the boys are up and about,” he said.

“To be back in the fold and back around the group, not doing rehab running around the ground by myself, it’s definitely a lot better than it was last year.”

Williams’ influence on the game wasn’t lost on AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss, who labelled his final-quarter assist for Charlie Curnow a “special moment”, as well as fellow defender Nic Newman.

Referencing the unheralded role he played on Michael Walters, Newman added that the glimpse of Williams' offensive traits late in the game - showing off his individual flare - brought a smile to the team's face.

“I’ve gone through a similar thing where you do a knee and miss a long period of time. It does take a little bit to really find your feet,” Newman said on SEN.

“He’s been playing his role and playing really well, but I well and truly think his best footy is still ahead of him this year. He played on Michael Walters and did a terrific job: Walters had seven touches and kicked a goal, [Williams] was awesome in that role.

“We did get to see a little bit of a glimpse of his strength and weapon to take the game on in a crucial time and be courageous to do that. If he doesn’t do that, we probably don’t win the game.

“It’s been great to have him back.”