Camperdown defender Jack Williams played alongside Warrnambool stars Travis Graham, Sam Cowling and Tim O’Keeffe in Hampden’s 97-point thrashing of Murray in last week’s interleague match at Reid Oval.

Today the 19-year-old returns to Reid Oval but Graham, Cowling and O’Keeffe will be his enemies, with all three set to play in key forward posts for the Blues.

Williams, like most defenders in the competition, knows Warrnambool boasts one of the most potent forward lines and expects to be directly opposed to all three at some stage this afternoon.

“We spent most of the night with them after interleague,” Williams said.

“They are all good mates. But once you get onto the field you’re not mates any more.”

Williams loves to test himself.

“I just look to challenge myself. They are the premier forwards in the league,” he said.

“It’s good to push yourself.”

Williams is used to challenges. His 2014 campaign was ruined when he suffered a near-fatal golden staph infection in July. 

Preparing to play a match, he sought treatment for a sore hip from club medical staff but they sent him straight to doctors. He spent 15 days in hospital and had to be hooked up to an intravenous drip of antibiotics for six weeks.

By the time the season finished, he was just starting to resume normal life and when the Magpies began pre-season training under new coach Phil Carse, he joined in.

“It took me a bit longer than usual to get into it,” he said. “I was at the back of the group. I had lost all my muscle in my legs because I was in hospital sitting around for so long. I had to teach myself how to run again.”

By the time pre-season ended, he felt as though he was ready for the season.

Such was his start to the year, he got the call every young footballer craves — an invite to interleague training.

“To be honest I wasn’t thinking about it,” he said.

“When the call came I was surprised. I really enjoyed the experience,  which was great.”

The plumber, who lives at Swan Marsh, is also enjoying the Magpies’ 4-1 start to the season.

Coach Phil Carse said Williams had been pivotal across half-back, being freed up to run and carry out of defence.

Carse said the Magpies had included 17-year-old debutant Lachie Bone as a small forward for the match. He is the fourth 17-year-old to play his first senior game this season.

Warrnambool coach Scott Carter said the Magpies were an unknown quantity.

“Camperdown are an improved side — 4-1 is a good start to the year,” he said. “They have a bit of unknown about them as far as we go.

“I haven’t seen their coach (Phil Carse) play and the defender (Daniel Seehusen) he has brought down with him.”

The unbeaten Blues will be without boom recruit Tim McIntyre because of a hamstring injury.

“We treat them with respect but we see an opportunity to put distance between us on the ladder,” Carter said.

“We are five and zip and they are 4-1 and we could skip a couple ahead of them.”