Former list manager Stephen Silvagni believes Zac Williams can re-establish himself as one of the best half-back flankers in the competition if he has a strong offseason.
Williams was traded to the Blues from GWS at the end of 2020 in search of more midfield minutes.
However, the 27-year-old struggled with form and fitness issues for much of this year to fall short of what the Blues would have hoped.
His quiet season corresponded with Carlton’s failure to rise the ladder in 2021, and while Silvagni doesn’t think Williams has the capability to play in the midfield permanently, he’s tipping the former Giant to get back to his best at half-back.
“I think he’s got to get himself super fit,” Silvagni told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade when asked what Williams needs to do first.
“I think he’s a really, really good half-back flanker.
“He’s a damaging half-back flanker that can give you a lot of drive off the half-backline and be one of the best in the competition there.
“As a mid-forward, there’s no doubt you can throw him in the midfield, but I just don’t think he’s got the tank to play as a genuine midfield.”
One of the Blues’ biggest problems throughout 2021 was their failure to run hard defensively.
Silvagni believes that gives Carlton an option to utilise Williams in short stints through the midfield, but ultimately play him where he has the most impact.
“I think one of Carlton’s real weaknesses in terms of their midfield is being able to get players through there regularly,” he said.
“It’s probably one of the reasons why Ed Curnow has been playing in the middle, he’s got a huge tank and gives them offensive and defensive run.
“But they’ve got to go past that, whether they've got to rotate more through there and get the right balance, I certainly think he can go through the midfield at a pinch and forward.
“But I think he’s a proven half-back flanker, and a really good one at that.”
The Blues secured Michael Voss as their new head coach in September, the Brisbane great already highlighting his desire to improve the team’s defensive mechanisms.