On Monday, August 4, 2025, the AFL paused to honour a true cornerstone of the modern game. Callan Ward, the founding co-captain of the GWS Giants, officially retired after 18 seasons and 327 games. His exit marks not just the end of a storied career—but the end of an era.

He Didn’t Just Play for the Giants—He Built Them

Ward didn’t just join the Giants in 2011—he helped create them. After starting his career with the Western Bulldogs, he made the bold leap to GWS, becoming a foundational figure in the AFL’s most ambitious expansion. He kicked the club’s first-ever goal, won its first best-and-fairest, and eventually became its games record holder.

From day one, his presence was more than symbolic. He brought leadership, resilience, and an unrelenting work ethic that turned a group of young players into a competitive force.

“Callan Ward has been the heart and soul of this football club since day one,” said Giants CEO David Matthews. “He helped shape who we are.”

A Final Injury—and One Last Act of Leadership

Ward’s final season didn’t end the way he hoped. In Round 12, he tore his ACL—his second in five years—and left the field on a stretcher. For most players, that would have been it.

Not for Ward.

Instead of retreating to the rooms, he returned to the huddle at three-quarter time. His team was trailing, shaken by his injury. Ward addressed them with a message about being reliable, about doing your job for the people beside you. Inspired, the Giants turned the game around and won.

“That’s just a reflection of who he is,” said coach Adam Kingsley. “He puts the team ahead of himself, and he’s done that for 17 years.”

Teammates and Legends Pay Tribute

Current and former players across the AFL quickly praised Ward’s leadership and character. Giants midfielder Tom Green said the three-quarter time speech summed Ward up perfectly:

“It’s hard not to get up for him when he speaks like that. It lit a fire under us.”

AFL legends chimed in too.

“He’s a man’s man,” said Nathan Buckley. “He wears his heart on his sleeve—and then revs his teammates up with one leg.”

“You’d love to play with him,” added Jonathan Brown. “He’s heavily respected.”

The Final Call

Ward admitted he had considered retirement last season but chose to push on. As the season wore on and his injury hit, he knew it was time.

“This was my extra year,” he said. “I did think about coming back again. But I knew—I couldn’t.”

He walks away having left everything on the field—both physically and emotionally.

His Legacy Isn’t Measured in Stats

While Ward’s 327 games, dozens of finals, and personal accolades are impressive, his greatest achievement is intangible. He helped build a football club from scratch—and he did it with grit, humility, and heart.

He didn’t just wear the jumper. He defined what it meant to wear it.

Closing Thoughts

Ward’s retirement wasn’t just the biggest AFL story of the day—it hit deep. It reminded fans and players why culture matters. Why leadership off the stat sheet matters. And why football, at its core, is still a people-first game.

As the Giants press on toward finals, they’ll do so with the DNA that Ward instilled in them from the very beginning. The club will find new leaders, new stars—but there will never be another quite like Callan Ward.