Returning from injury, Tom Williams embraced a move forward in his first game of Season 2012, relishing a role reversal and the chance to become the source of opposition defenders' headaches.

The Western Bulldogs big man has spent much of his career keeping the AFL’s best forwards in check but believes the stress has been lifted now he can focus on his own game. 

Watch Tom Williams' match highlights from his match against Hawthorn.

“I felt really comfortable up [forward] - when I talk to other backs they know what I mean but it is like taking a deep breath,” Williams said.

“You are just relieved of this stress that you don’t have to follow someone else around for the whole game.

“I can run someone else around… it is a bit of giving them their own medicine.”

Sidelined since the second round of the NAB Cup rehabilitating a shoulder injury, Williams was just excited to be out on the park, playing his first senior game for 2012 against Hawthorn on Sunday.

View Tom Williams' player profile and career statistics

He contributed with 12 disposals, eight marks and a goal on return and is keen to keep building as he regains match fitness.

“I am pumped - I was happy that I got an opportunity on the weekend and just happy I am not in the rehab group anymore, hopefully I can stay out of there forever,” he said.

Williams has seen more than his fair share of injuries throughout his career, despite turning only 26 today and while adamant that he does not want to return to the rehab group, he refuses to give up the physicality in his game.

Read the match report from last Sunday's game against Hawthorn. 

“Rehab is probably one of the worst places you would ever want to be,” he said.

“You train like it is pre-season every day by yourself, you do the worst kind of training with the littlest result just to be back in line with everyone else.

“It is a rank place to be but it strengthens you in the end - it just makes you a bit more mentally tough.

“I have learnt to deal with a bit of adversity and try to be a bit more mature about stuff that goes wrong in my life.”

Alongside his highly resilient attitude is his sheer desire to continue to put his body on the line, whether it be to win the ball or make a contest.

Growing up playing Rugby Union the heavy hits are part of Williams' natural game.

“I don’t think about injuries when I am playing because it is always a bit of a shock to me, whether or not it is a shock to anyone else,” he said.

“Generally I try to be as physical as I can… I put the blinkers on and suck it up.”

While adding another marking target up front for the Bulldogs, Williams' return gives a number of developing players another seasoned head to learn from.

“I just teach them what I know and even though I haven’t played [up forward] much, the game is still the same whether you are playing back or forward,” he said.

“You still have to be able to work hard and have a bit of urgency about what you are doing and hopefully on the weekend I showed them that.

“That is probably the only way I do it - I just try to lead by example.”