FORMER West Coast forward Jack Williams has met with Tasmania as he chases another AFL opportunity, with the versatile 22-year-old determined to continue his career at the top level after becoming a casualty of the Eagles' list squeeze. 

Williams played 54 games in five seasons for the Eagles and showed significant promise as a 198cm key forward/ruck, but he was cut last week after the club's trade activity left list spots at a premium. 

While it was a tough blow for the young forward after a period of uncertainty, Williams said he had moved on quickly and was training hard in the hope that another AFL chance will present. 

The East Fremantle product, who played 12 games this season, said he was just entering his prime physically and had more to give at AFL level, having built resilience and versatility as a player with the Eagles. 

"I'm super keen to get back in the AFL system and that's plan A for me, so I'll just do whatever I can to get another opportunity," Williams told AFL.com.au this week.

"Whether that comes within the next couple of days, after the Draft, or if I have to play somewhere else next year, I'm just trying to do whatever I can to get back on another AFL list.

"I feel like I've still got more to offer and I'm starting to come into my prime physically. I've also taken a lot mentally from those years at West Coast and gained a lot of experience, so I definitely feel like I've still got plenty to give."

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Multiple AFL clubs have placed Williams on their radar since he was delisted last week, with the young forward open to any opportunity, including pre-season training trials ahead of 2027. 

Tasmania would also present an exciting pathway as the club prepares for its AFL entry, with the Devils able to sign up to four of their own VFL-listed players to the 2028 AFL list under the unique 'golden ticket' initiative.

"It'd be great to get down to Tasmania. It's really exciting what's coming for them in the next couple of years and to be a part of that would be awesome," Williams said.  

"If things don't work out immediately, there's so many pathways to go through so I'm just trying to put my best foot forward and take any opportunity."

Jack Williams looks on during the match between West Coast and Hawthorn at Optus Stadium in round 24, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

List spots became tight at West Coast this season after the club added pre-season signing Milan Murdock, mid-season recruits Marcus Herbert and Oliver Francou, and trade targets Jack Viney and Trent Rivers. 

The club is benefitting from four additional rookie spots as part of an AFL assistance package but still needed to delist small forward Matt Owies this week with a year remaining on his contract to create a third vacant list spot ahead of the Draft. 

Williams said he understood the position the Eagles were in with several young key forwards already on the list, and he had gained a lot from his five years at the club, which coincided with a lengthy on-field rebuild.  

"It was a tough period for the club on the field in my time there, but I felt like I gained a lot of resilience and just footy experience," he said. 

"I was really lucky to learn off some really talented and great key forwards, like Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling early in my career, and then Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman.

"While the results weren't showing for us on field, I feel like the culture of the club is still really strong and there's been a lot of focus on development.

"It was tough news to get … but I feel like I've gained a lot from my experience at West Coast."

Jack Williams in action during the match between West Coast and Hawthorn at Optus Stadium in round 24, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

Part of Williams' appeal for clubs could be the ruck craft he added while on West Coast's list, working with Nic Naitanui to build his versatility in that role and even playing as a tall defender at one stage in 2026.  

The key forward said he had now thrown himself into training with housemates Archer Reid and Harry Barnett, with the latter also among seven West Coast players delisted at the end of the season.

"If an opportunity arises, I want to be able to put my best foot forward, so now is absolutely the time to knuckle down, and I've been keeping fit and in the gym doing my program," Williams said. 

"I live with a couple of players, so I've been training with them and that's been the focus for me. The training hasn't stopped, it's just been business as usual in terms of keeping fit and getting ready for another pre-season, wherever that may be."