They say that hard work eventually pays off.

For emerging Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams, it payed off in a big way in season 2020.

Before this year, Williams was a young player who was choc-full of talent, but hadn’t put together his best football on a consistent basis.

That all changed during this Covid-ravaged season, which was the 22-year-old’s best in his five years at AFL level.

Champion Data rated Williams as the most improved player in the competition, and his sharp rise in form resulted in a fifth place finish in the Bulldogs’ Best and Fairest.

He was also named as the team’s Most Improved Player at the Bulldogs’ Charles Sutton Medal event.

As a defender, Williams found a brilliant balance between locking down his opponent, intercept marking and rebounding from half back, averaging 16.6 disposals, 4.6 marks and five rebound 50s per game.

“In the off season I really tried to work on my endurance, and my repeat effort sort of stuff,” Williams said.

“I thought I would work extremely hard and leave no stone unturned, so to get the rewards, I’m very grateful.

“I just wanted to get the most out of this year.”