Former Carlton wingman and ex-Narrandera AFL footballer Zac Williams has announced his AFL retirement, despite being heavily linked to a lifeline at a pair of rival clubs. The Blues veteran was delisted after playing just nine matches in 2026 due to a fractured larynx, with his final game being then-interim coach Josh Fraser’s first match at the helm against the Western Bulldogs in Round 10. He finishes a 14-year career at the highest level with 183 games and 71 goals across the Blues and first club GWS. “Well, after 14 years it’s all said and done,” the 32-year-old wrote on Instagram. “Decided to call it time on my AFL career and retire. “I’m so grateful for the people I have formed relationships with through my career. “To the Giants and Carlton, cannot thank you enough for supporting me through the ups and downs and giving me a chance to play at the highest level. “Thank you to my family for supporting me all the way through to this point. Wouldn’t have made it without them. “So many other people to thank which I will do over time but thank you to the wider AFL community for embracing me. “It’s been a privilege to play the game I love so much for so long and I’m looking forward to my next chapter. Thank you.” Williams’ retirement comes despite attracting interest from Essendon and Sydney following his Blues delisting, with the Bombers meeting with the veteran at their Tullamarine headquarters in October. It was reported by Channel 7’s Tom Morris last month that Swans coach Dean Cox had advised Williams to “be ready - we might need you”, with the club seeking half-back cover for traded star Nick Blakey. Helping his case was the ability for clubs to select him under the newly introduced extra list spot for Indigenous players. In September, the AFL introduced a rule allowing an optional added Category B rookie spot on a club’s list for any First Nations player, in an attempt to increase plummeting Indigenous playing numbers in the league. Beginning his career on the Giants’ rookie list, Williams flourished to become one of the game’s most dynamic half-backs. He starred with 25 disposals and a goal in the club’s win over Collingwood in the 2019 preliminary final, which secured the Giants their maiden – and to date only – Grand Final berth. A year later, he departed after 113 games for Carlton on a monster six-year contract worth a reported $900,000 per year. However, a combination of injuries and form meant Williams never recaptured the same form at Ikon Park. He missed a large chunk of the 2022 season and all of 2023, the latter after suffering a ruptured ACL in pre-season. Williams made a successful move to the forward line in the latter stages of 2024, kicking 22 goals in 2025. But he fell out of favour last season, with younger Blues, most obviously emerging half-back Billy Wilson, making a spot his own after sustaining a fractured larynx mid-year.
