Giants veteran Callan Ward has revealed the astonishing circumstances behind his decision to re-sign for one more year after anticipating he would retire after the 2024 AFL season.
Ward entered the 2024 season wholeheartedly believing it would be his last, ending a storied career of over 300 games across two clubs in 17 years. An injured start to the year suggested as much, with a significant AC joint injury ruling the 34-year-old out for six weeks, implying perhaps Father Time had caught up to the inaugural Giant.
A father of three, Ward and his wife, Ruby, had planned to make the move back to Victoria, where both their families reside. However, halfway through the year, a slight positional change to the wing reinvigorated Ward and his on-field form, as the Giants stormed into the top four, with the midfielder suddenly considering tallying an 18th season to his name.
Desiring an extra year at the top flight with GWS remaining in the premiership window, Ward and his wife settled for temporary unusual circumstances so Ward can play out his last dance in the AFL.
Ruby will return to Victoria with the three young children, while Ward will remain in New South Wales, however the Giants have permitted him to have extended visits after Victorian and interstate matches, as well as any other time Ward requests during the week.
Ward told AFL.com.au that the opportunity to extend his career was a hard decision to turn down while explaining the new, unusual lifestyle situation.
"The opportunity came up to play again and Ruby and I had the discussion," Ward said.
"We had always planned to move to Melbourne together as a family at the end of last season. Ruby's mum has been dealing with some illness.
"Ruby and I had a good chat about what it would be like if I was to play another year. In the end, we decided that Ruby and the kids would move to Melbourne and we would do long distance.
"I'm now living on my own in Sydney and trying to make it work. I'm mapping out now how often I go to Melbourne between games or after games and how much they can come up.
"It is a different lifestyle to what I'm used to. I've never really lived on my own before.
"...In my head, I was done. Last year was definitely my last year. I was looking forward to moving back to Melbourne with my family and being around extended family, which we've never had.
"Everyone says you can't play footy forever, and it is so true, so why not make it last a bit longer if we can?"
Ward was grateful for the commitment by his wife, assuring another year at AFL level would not have been possible without her support.
"I feel like the mum Ruby is… she is just amazing, doesn't complain and just gets it done, so if it wasn't for her and her support, I think I would really struggle," Ward said.
"I'm really confident that she can make it work, and we can make it work. I'd struggle if she was really struggling with me not being there.
"My family will help out a fair bit as well, they live close by. At the moment she is coping really well."
Ward has yet to play in a grand final despite his extensive career, missing out on the 2019 chance after rupturing his ACL in Round 1 of that season.
With GWS are still knocking on the premiership window, Ward is as driven as ever to claim the club's maiden flag.
"The decision was can I do one more? Do I believe in myself to go one more and play in a premiership? That was the main reason why I decided to go around again," Ward said.
"I've been playing for a long time now and haven't achieved the ultimate; I haven't even played in a Grand Final.
"It is something you dream of as a kid to play in a premiership. To have a long career and having not played in one is something I think about quite a bit, especially losing five prelims and probably another three semis.
"It does eat away at you. I've got mates I played with at the Dogs who played long careers, lost three prelims in a row and it's something they still think about 15 years on.
"For me, it's not something I want to think about forever, so to achieve the ultimate would end that and would be just a great way to go out."
GWS' newest hunt for a premiership kicks off against Collingwood again, hosting the Pies in Opening Round, as they did in 2024. Ward and the Giants will be hoping for a similar result to kickstart the campaign, as the club hero now certainly enters his final season in orange and charcoal.
