Marley's milestone

North Albany product Marley Williams will play his 50th AFL match for Collingwood tomorrow night in their blockbuster clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, a significant personal milestone for the defender who started on the Magpies rookie list.

After an impressive 2011 season at Claremont where he played 13 colts games and two league matches along with averaging more than 16 disposals during the AFL National Under-18 Championships, the Magpies selected the young talent with pick 35 in the 2011 rookie draft.

Promoted from the rookie list in 2012 to replace an injured Luke Ball, Williams made his debut for the Magpies in round 9 against Adelaide and played six games before shoulder surgery ended his season.

He won a place on the Magpies senior list ahead of the 2014 season and his form rocketed, earning him a NAB Rising Star nomination and a seventh-placed finish in the Magpies Copeland Trophy count.

His 2014 season was disrupted by a court case that played out in WA and ended with a suspended jail term, but Williams forced his way back into the Magpies side to become a regular member of their defence.

This season Williams has gone about shutting down some of the game's most dangerous small forwards, including Fremantle star Hayden Ballantyne last Thursday night at Domain Stadium.

The 21-year-old has played all 13 games for the Magpies this season, averaging more than 20 disposals, including a career-high 33 possessions against the Gold Coast Suns.

Williams has become a key figure in the Magpies defence and his 50th game comes at a time his career with the Magpies is blossoming.

Former North Albany colts coach Craig Dew said he had noticed the positive change in Williams when he met with him over a coffee in Albany recently during the defender's mid-season break.

"What struck me the most was I know he had a few issues early on but you would be amazed by how much he has matured," Dew said.

"He's a totally different kid and he's a credit to himself and the Collingwood Football Club.

"From where he has come from to where he is now, it's just fantastic to see and it's reflected in his footy this season.

"It's great to see he is having an impact at AFL level."