David Williams copped plenty of flack for his disappearing act in the 2013 decider, however, he seems to have taken it to another level with Wolfman going into exile following his poor performance in Grand Final.
news via Sportal.com.au
Nine days after the Wolfman’s meltdown in the 2013 decider, won 26-18 by the Roosters, the beared winger has cut all ties with the Sea Eagles and gone missing.
Usually an outgoing and lively personality, Williams missed an appointment with coach Geoff Toovey to review his season and cannot be contacted.
His mobile phone is turned off and no-one at the club is sure of his exact whereabouts.
Williams spent Mad Monday with teammates before going to ground.
The winger was a shattered figure after the grand final, consoled by his father in the Manly dressing room after making a series of handling errors and struggling with the high ball against Roosters giant Daniel Tupou.
Williams was heavily criticised on social media and by some leading rugby league figures, with premiership-winning coach Warren Ryan telling ABC Radio listeners: “He wouldn’t tackle my grandmother and she’s been dead for a long, long time.”
The Sea Eagles have stressed there are no issues with Williams and he enjoys their full support.
The former Australian and NSW winger earned a new two-year deal on the back of his best season since 2008, scoring 20 tries in 27 appearances.
Williams scored one of the tries of the year in the preliminary final win over Souths, contorting his body around the corner post to touch down centimetres from the sideline.
Teammates have rallied around the 27-year-old.
“I don’t think he needs to blame himself at all. He’s put in some great efforts this year,” prop George Rose told Sportal.
“We all have our down times but he’s a good dude.
“Hopefully he is good.”
Toovey said it was unfair if Williams was being held to blame for Manly’s loss.
The Sea Eagles led by 10 points early in the second held before bring blown off the park by a rampant Roosters side, spearheaded by Sonny Bill Williams.
“I didn’t speak to David about specifics but everyone was disappointed the way we led the grand final and let it slip away,” Toovey said.
Williams is expected back for pre-season training next month.