Williams is close friends with Grenfell captain-coach Steve Taylor and the ex-South Sydney Rabbitohs playmaker will give the Goannas, currently third on the ladder, an experienced half to help guide the club’s young stars.

On top of stints with three NRL clubs, Williams has played with a stack of bush outfits, too – Lavington Panthers (2009), Cowra Magpies (2010), Dubbo CYMS (2011-2012), Wagga Brothers (2013-2014) and Wellington Cowboys (2015, 2016).

Taylor said linking with a player the calibre of Williams was a massive boon for the club heading into the second half of the season.

Williams will fit playing for Grenfell around his current work with suicide prevention – his debut in the black and gold likely a round 11 clash with Condobolin at Henry Lawson Park on June 17.

Grenfell plays Peak Hill this weekend before a bye the following week.

“I’ve grown up with Joe all my life … he’s not asking for any money, he’s just coming out to help out the young guys we’ve got at the club,” Taylor said.

“His knowledge of the game is brilliant, he might see more than our young halves do at the moment.”

Taylor was confident the club was in a strong position to challenge the likes of premiers Trundle and the in-form Manildra Rhinos for the 2018 title.

Grenfell knocked off the Rhinos in round three but dropped back-to-back games against the Boomers and then Eugowra to fall from the top of the ladder.

“We’ve got the boys to do it we’ve just got to play as a team, Joe will be an added bonus,” Taylor said.

“All the boys have stepped up. We’ve had 25 or so at training and everyone’s position is up for grabs.

“We’ve just got to play our game. And play to the whistle, which is a big thing in Woodbridge Cup.

“We’ve got Peak Hill at Peak Hill, they’re always strong at home. Hopefully we can get the win there and build into the second half of the season.”

In other round nine games, Eugowra hosts Canowindra, the Rhinos travel to Cargo Oval to take on the Blue Heelers and the Boomers take on Burrangong.