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Ward quality person through and through
#8 Callan Ward - Inaugural Giant (OOC signing, 2011)
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Determinant
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Link to the full video below; "Must watch"
http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/video/2017-05-19/theres-a-giant-in-callan-ward
http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/video/2017-05-19/theres-a-giant-in-callan-ward
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Determinant
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Huge, couldn't be happier that he is the first
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https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/2...of-the-giants?camefrom=EMCL_2853948_135587356
Ward 'The Heartbeat' of the GIANTS
Adam Curley, AFL Media
Apr 16, 2019 3:30PM
He's a very modest man but he's not silly enough to not realise what a significant figure he is at this footy club.
GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis
The sight of GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward writhing in pain at GMHBA Stadium sent shockwaves through the GIANTS camp on Saturday afternoon, but a couple of moments, captured on camera, in the aftermath were as significant as his injury.
When the midfielder's left knee buckled early in the opening term, anybody who saw it knew he was in trouble.
Ward has hunted the footy as hard as anyone across his 12-season, 217-game career, but the pain of a torn anterior cruciate ligament forced even the GIANTS' toughest player to give up on his contest with Geelong champion Gary Ablett.
The original GIANT, who turned 29 in the days leading into the round four match, was helped from the field to be assessed behind closed doors, and when he eventually hobbled back to the bench on crutches, the tears on his face showed the reality of the situation.
It was there on the GIANTS interchange, in full view of the television cameras, that the footy world saw the first powerful reactions to Ward's injury and the realisation that he would miss a year of footy.
GIANTS vice-captain Stephen Coniglio draped his arm around the sobbing Ward, as the club's welfare manager and former GIANTS and Western Bulldog teammate Dylan Addison did the same from the other side.
Coniglio, who has seen housemate Jon Patton go through multiple knee injuries, told AFL.com.au on Tuesday that all he could do was let his co-captain know that he was there to support him.
"It was just so hard seeing him go down and emotional like that. He's the heartbeat of our club and one of my closest mates," he said.
"Unfortunately, I've seen it happen a few times to guys close to me, so I knew how hard the road ahead was going to be for him.
"I won't go into specifics about what I said, but I basically just told him to be brave and try to put on a brave face for the boys when they come off the ground, and he did that.
"The way he spoke to the boys at three-quarter-time was amazing.
"He won't want it to be about him, he's so selfless like that, so when he gets back to the club I'm sure he'll be an important part of the club again off the field."
Ward's address to the playing group at the last change with the GIANTS down by a solitary point inspired his team to a gripping four-point victory, their first win at the ground.
GIANTS players and coaches were ecstatic when the final siren went, but their joy was tinged with sadness because of the plight of their inspirational leader.
Award-winning AFL.com.au photographer Michael Willson then captured the other memorable image of the day, a strong and lingering hug shared between the GIANTS' two co-captains, Ward and Phil Davis.
It perfectly showed the contrasting emotions being felt by the GIANTS, who were both triumphant winners, and unlucky losers on the day.
"I think that moment represents the fact that I knew he was in a bad place, and it was nice to be able to embrace him and be in that moment together," Davis told AFL.com.au on Tuesday.
"I just saw him standing there and I think we both knew how significant the injury was, and we've been through a fair bit together.
"It was definitely mixed emotions because we'd just won and conquered something that had been a big issue for us (in not winning) down in Geelong, but the other half of me was extremely sad that he'd hurt himself.
"I won't go into too much detail about what we said, it was just more about reflecting on how far we've come, and how important he is to everything we do.
"He's a very modest man but he's not silly enough to not realise what a significant figure he is at this footy club."
An incredible human our captain, have zero doubt he will both work through rehab and play next year but also play a huge part in this season whilst not onfield.
Ward 'The Heartbeat' of the GIANTS
Adam Curley, AFL Media
Apr 16, 2019 3:30PM
He's a very modest man but he's not silly enough to not realise what a significant figure he is at this footy club.
GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis
The sight of GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward writhing in pain at GMHBA Stadium sent shockwaves through the GIANTS camp on Saturday afternoon, but a couple of moments, captured on camera, in the aftermath were as significant as his injury.
When the midfielder's left knee buckled early in the opening term, anybody who saw it knew he was in trouble.
Ward has hunted the footy as hard as anyone across his 12-season, 217-game career, but the pain of a torn anterior cruciate ligament forced even the GIANTS' toughest player to give up on his contest with Geelong champion Gary Ablett.
The original GIANT, who turned 29 in the days leading into the round four match, was helped from the field to be assessed behind closed doors, and when he eventually hobbled back to the bench on crutches, the tears on his face showed the reality of the situation.
It was there on the GIANTS interchange, in full view of the television cameras, that the footy world saw the first powerful reactions to Ward's injury and the realisation that he would miss a year of footy.
GIANTS vice-captain Stephen Coniglio draped his arm around the sobbing Ward, as the club's welfare manager and former GIANTS and Western Bulldog teammate Dylan Addison did the same from the other side.
Coniglio, who has seen housemate Jon Patton go through multiple knee injuries, told AFL.com.au on Tuesday that all he could do was let his co-captain know that he was there to support him.
"It was just so hard seeing him go down and emotional like that. He's the heartbeat of our club and one of my closest mates," he said.
"Unfortunately, I've seen it happen a few times to guys close to me, so I knew how hard the road ahead was going to be for him.
"I won't go into specifics about what I said, but I basically just told him to be brave and try to put on a brave face for the boys when they come off the ground, and he did that.
"The way he spoke to the boys at three-quarter-time was amazing.
"He won't want it to be about him, he's so selfless like that, so when he gets back to the club I'm sure he'll be an important part of the club again off the field."
Ward's address to the playing group at the last change with the GIANTS down by a solitary point inspired his team to a gripping four-point victory, their first win at the ground.
GIANTS players and coaches were ecstatic when the final siren went, but their joy was tinged with sadness because of the plight of their inspirational leader.
Award-winning AFL.com.au photographer Michael Willson then captured the other memorable image of the day, a strong and lingering hug shared between the GIANTS' two co-captains, Ward and Phil Davis.
It perfectly showed the contrasting emotions being felt by the GIANTS, who were both triumphant winners, and unlucky losers on the day.
"I think that moment represents the fact that I knew he was in a bad place, and it was nice to be able to embrace him and be in that moment together," Davis told AFL.com.au on Tuesday.
"I just saw him standing there and I think we both knew how significant the injury was, and we've been through a fair bit together.
"It was definitely mixed emotions because we'd just won and conquered something that had been a big issue for us (in not winning) down in Geelong, but the other half of me was extremely sad that he'd hurt himself.
"I won't go into too much detail about what we said, it was just more about reflecting on how far we've come, and how important he is to everything we do.
"He's a very modest man but he's not silly enough to not realise what a significant figure he is at this footy club."
An incredible human our captain, have zero doubt he will both work through rehab and play next year but also play a huge part in this season whilst not onfield.
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Patience, Perspective and Positivity: Callan Ward's Long Road Back
Callan Ward missed out on plenty during his year out with a knee injury, but his teammates knew he was still there for them.
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200 games for GWS milestone 12 June 2022:
www.gwsgiants.com.au
Friday Footy Feed: Gutsy mid reflects on GIANT milestone
AFL Media's Daniel Garb goes one-on-one with Callan Ward.
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Ward Receives AFL Life Membership
Callan Ward has been recognised for his contribution to the AFL.
GIANTS stalwart Callan Ward has received Life Membership after sixteen years of service to the AFL.
The GIANTS’ inaugural co-captain has played 279 senior matches for both the GIANTS and Western Bulldogs, as well as two international games and 19 official pre-season games, seeing him qualify for the award.
Ward arrived at the GIANTS as one of the first uncontracted players, winning the club's first best and fairest award in 2012.
Since then, Ward has gone on to become an all-time great for the GIANTS, and is currently the GIANTS’ games record holder.
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So calls for Cal to retire or not be given a new contract have died down?
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Don’t think there were calls.
More people thinking that he, and Davis, would finish up in the next year or two.
I’m all for both being given contracts forever. The knowledge and love for club they have. We need to make sure both are never lost to the club.
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There were some calls but while Davis is done Cal still offers a lot
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Great story here for GWS fans:
www.gwsgiants.com.au
Callan Ward is a club best and fairest winner, a two-time Brett Kirk medallist and a recipient of the players' player Robert Rose medal. He is also just five games short of reaching the 300-game milestone. But entering his 17th AFL season, his 13th with the GIANTS, he remains unfulfilled. The one accolade missing from his impressive resume is premiership winner.
Going on 34 in April, the midfielder doesn't need reminding he is the oldest on the club's list with retirement fast approaching. The inaugural GIANTS admits this year could be his last shot at a premiership and acknowledges, without fear or shame, he is frustrated.
"When you get to the end of your career and you haven't played in a premiership - haven't even played in the grand final - you reflect on what you've done for your whole career," Ward told AAP. "It's something that I think about a lot. At the moment it feels unfulfilled. It feels almost like I haven't achieved what I want to achieve."
"The fire in the belly is at an all-time high," Ward said. "The ultimate is to play in the premiership and I haven't done that. Being a leader of this football club for a long time, it's something I really want to do and I feel like my career won't be complete until I achieve that."
Fingers crossed that AK and the boys (and Lady Luck) can deliver in season 2024!
'The motivation for success is at an all-time high': Ward
Callan Ward says motivation at the GIANTS is at an all-time high ahead of the 2024 AFL season.
Callan Ward is a club best and fairest winner, a two-time Brett Kirk medallist and a recipient of the players' player Robert Rose medal. He is also just five games short of reaching the 300-game milestone. But entering his 17th AFL season, his 13th with the GIANTS, he remains unfulfilled. The one accolade missing from his impressive resume is premiership winner.
Going on 34 in April, the midfielder doesn't need reminding he is the oldest on the club's list with retirement fast approaching. The inaugural GIANTS admits this year could be his last shot at a premiership and acknowledges, without fear or shame, he is frustrated.
"When you get to the end of your career and you haven't played in a premiership - haven't even played in the grand final - you reflect on what you've done for your whole career," Ward told AAP. "It's something that I think about a lot. At the moment it feels unfulfilled. It feels almost like I haven't achieved what I want to achieve."
"The fire in the belly is at an all-time high," Ward said. "The ultimate is to play in the premiership and I haven't done that. Being a leader of this football club for a long time, it's something I really want to do and I feel like my career won't be complete until I achieve that."
Fingers crossed that AK and the boys (and Lady Luck) can deliver in season 2024!
