GWS foundation player and inaugural co-captain Callan Ward has called time on his AFL journey.
The 35-year-old leaves the game with a legendary resume, playing in 327 senior games, 60 with the Western Bulldogs and 267 with GWS, and currently resides as the total games and disposals record-holder for the Western Sydney-based club.
Ward's legacy as an AFL trailblazer will be long remembered by the Giants faithful, winning GWS' first best and fairest award in 2012 and playing an instrumental role in the Giants' success of the last decade. He led the side to seven Finals appearances since 2016, including GWS' sole Grand Final appearance as captain in 2019.
The retirement announcement comes after Ward suffered a heartbreaking ACL injury in Round 12. Ward had committed to playing one more year of AFL football in 2025 in the hopes of claiming an elusive premiership with the club, despite his family moving to Melbourne to live.
Giants Chief Executive Officer, David Matthews, praised Ward's long-standing commitment to GWS and the success he has helped the Giants achieve in his 14 seasons at the club.
“Callan Ward has been the heart and soul of this football club since day one. It was a courageous decision to join the Giants, to join a start-up and confront the many challenges of building an AFL Club from scratch. He didn't just help build the Giants, he helped define who we are,” Matthews said.
“From the moment he arrived, Callan brought leadership, toughness, and professionalism that shaped our culture and set the standard for every player who's walked through our doors.
“It is hard to overstate the impact Callan has had — not just on the field, but off it. He has been a role model, a mentor, and a cornerstone of our club's identity for 14 seasons.
“To see his career end the way it did is heartbreaking, but it's also fitting that even in that moment, his focus was on lifting his teammates. That is who Callan Ward is.
“Callan Ward retires as a Giants legend, an AFL great, and someone who leaves an enduring legacy for decades to come."
