DUBBO CYMS captain-coach Joe Williams turned 29 during the week but for him, the ultimate present will come on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Regardless of the result of the Fishies grand final clash with Macquarie Raiders, Williams will leave the field content knowing a family member has fought a far bigger battle and won.
Lee Williams has undergone brain surgery three times since late July but will be at No.1 Oval on Sunday to watch her son in his last game for the club.
Also at the game will be his three children Brodi, 7, Phoenix, 6 and Rome, 1, sisters Aleesha and Jasmine and father Wilfred, himself a legend of bush football and a veteran of 45 games in the old NSW Rugby League (NSWRL competition).
"Mum has had her fair share to deal with in the past couple of months and to tell you the truth, I'm just glad she's alive," the reigning Bob Weir Medallist said this week.
"It hasn't been easy for the family but she's recovering well and to have her at the ground on Sunday is going to be amazing.
"The only one missing from my immediate family will be my brother Michael, but I'm glad the rest of them are going to be there and my kids are all going to have their Fishies gear on. It will be a special day."
When Williams first put on footy boots in Cowra at the age of three it was his father who provided the inspiration but the real catalyst for a career which ended up taking him to Wagga and then on to four NRL clubs was his brother.
Once again it is a sad tale but one which the former Roosters, Souths, Penrith and Canterbury player credits with pushing him into the game's toughest league.
"Michael is four years older than me and he was playing a game at Lake Cargelligo when dad was coaching out there and broke his neck," Williams said.
"He was a much better player than I was but when he broke his neck that ended footy for him so I decided to do everything I could to give it a crack.
"Dad played in Sydney as well so it's in the genes but Michael was the better football player, no doubt about that."
Williams' maiden year as a coach in Group 11 hasn't been easy but he is adamant the grand final will be his last game.
He is also aware he made the same claims 12 months ago before a five-star performance led CYMS to an upset win over Parkes at Pioneer Oval and he ended his retirement in round two against Wellington.
"I know I said it last year, and people have criticised me for playing again, but this week is going to be it. That's the plan," he said. "I came back this year because we had pretty much a new side compared to last year and I thought the easiest way to guide them would be to be out there with them.
"It hasn't been easy. We haven't really had numbers at training all season so to make it this far has been a big effort. If we can win, it will be something amazing and I plan on winning."
