“TO HAVE a player and person of Zac’s quality decide he wants to play his football at our club gives us great confidence that we’re heading in the right direction.”

Head of List Management Nick Austin said the acquisition of Zac Williams was a pivotal early coup for Carlton, as he flagged a midfield role for the newest Blue.

Williams officially became a Carlton player on Friday evening, with GWS electing not to match the bid for the restricted free agent.

With the need for speed being earmarked from a long way out as key additions for Carlton this off-season, Williams fills a direct need for the Blues on the first day of the player acquisition period.

Speaking to Carlton Media, Austin said Williams ticked a lot of the boxes which the Blues’ list management team had drawn up this year.

“He’s got speed, he’s hard at ground level, he can win his own ball and he can bring others into the game with his decision making and quick hands. It’s a really exciting mix for us and he’s someone we were really trying to target through the free agency and trade period,” Austin said.

“He’s in the right age bracket for us as a 26-year-old in the prime of his career. It’s a really good fit and it’s great that Zac had confidence in our football club.

“He’s going to add to what we’ve already got, and help other players take their game to a new level as well. He’s really going to add to us.”

Having proven his wares across half back and also with stints in the midfield at GWS, the question over the last few weeks as speculation has heated up was around one area: where will Williams play his football for Carlton?

Austin said that Williams’ arrival presented Senior Coach David Teague with options, but envisaged that his speed and his dynamic playing style would be utilised at the centre bounce.

Arguably, Williams’ career-best showing came as a pure on-baller in the 2019 preliminary final against Collingwood.

“We’re going to give Zac every opportunity to play and grow with our midfield group,” Austin said.

“The flexibility he offers is fantastic, but first and foremost as a midfielder he’ll add another dimension.

“Zac has shown what he can do as a rebound defender, where he breaks the lines and changes the angles and takes the game on. It’s what we’re looking to add to our ball movement.

“But he has also played some quality football in front of the ball as well, with his speed, tackling, pressure and ability to kick the ball inside 50 at a high level.”

It’s clear that there were multiple aspects of Williams’ game which saw Carlton go after the speedy 26-year-old.

That was reciprocated the other way, with Austin saying Williams was keen to immerse himself in all aspects of the Club.

“It’s a really solid environment that we’re building,” Austin said.

“With Zac, we were able to present different layers of the Club and it’s a real credit to Cain Liddle and Brad Lloyd and all the way through the building. We’re entering an exciting phase at our football club with the redevelopment and so forth.

“On and off the field, it was the whole package: he’s got belief in our list, where it’s at and how he can grow it.”

With Williams through the door, attention now turns to the beginning of the Trade Period on Wednesday 4 November.

Austin said Carlton wouldn’t be drawn into a running commentary on Adam Saad, who it was announced had nominated the Blues as his club of choice for 2020.

“It’s obviously a positive sign again that someone of Adam’s quality wants to come to the Club,” Austin said.

“With respect for Essendon, we’re not going to do a running commentary on the negotiations.

“I will say to our members that we’re working towards an outcome that’s in the best interest of our football club. Discussions have begun and we’ll continue to work on those through the coming days.”