T-Rex set for NRL extinction

Tony Williams, also known as ‘T-Rex’, has had a glittering NRL career, collecting a decade’s worth of highlights along the way. But without a contract for 2018, it seems the once feared T-Rex is set to be wiped out.

Williams debuted as a winger for Parramatta in 2008, before making the move to Manly, the best decision of his career. After spending two years on the North Shore flirting between wing and centre, Des Hasler moved Williams into the second row in 2011, the year the Sea Eagles would go on to win the premiership.

But soon after William’s maiden premiership victory, inconsistency began to set into the hulking forward’s game.

He began the next year poorly, picking up a seven-match suspension in just Round 3 after a dangerous throw charge, until his luck turned around mid-season, earning his maiden Blues jersey.

The back-rower followed his coach to Bulldogs the following year on a four-year, $2.4 million deal, though he couldn’t deliver in his stint at Belmore. After failing to have his contract extended, signing a single year deal with Cronulla. But after a single game in the Shire, Williams tore his ACL and left his NRL career hanging by a thread.

Williams most likely career move is sure to be England, with the majority of NRL club’s rosters already full ahead of next season. Having been in lacklustre form for several years and coming off the back of a serious knee injury, it appears no club is willing to run the risk.

Williams isn’t the only former star without a contract for next season, with Nate Myles and Frank Pritchard yet to decide their playing future, though the latter appears certain to sign a one-year extension with Parramatta.

Veteran coaches Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett have built their legacy on the resurrection of former star’s careers, though even they would appear hard-pressed bringing T-Rex back from the brink of rugby league oblivion.

A season in the Super League to find the form that earned him his moniker could be just what the doctor ordered, but even then Williams would be lucky to have a fifth NRL club come knocking.

It’s hard to imagine how Williams would be remembered if he were to retire today. The winger turned back-rower won a State of Origin series, a Four Nations tournament and an NRL premiership, but failed to deliver on his massive potential.

The phrase ‘built like Tarzan, runs like Jane’ comes to mind.

Unless some sort of miracle comes around, it appears Tony Williams is in rugby league purgatory, with no end in sight.