Forever a GIANT: Callan Ward Calls Time on Remarkable AFL Career
So, a big moment in AFL history has just unfolded — Callan Ward, one of the most respected and admired players in the game, has officially announced his retirement. After a stellar 18-year career spanning 327 games, Ward is hanging up the boots, and honestly, it’s hard not to get a bit emotional about it.
Ward’s retirement comes on the heels of a heartbreaking ACL injury he suffered in Round 12 this season against Richmond. When his knee gave way during that game at ENGIE Stadium, many suspected it might be the end — and now that’s been confirmed. At 35, the GIANTS veteran decided not to push on for another season.
What makes Ward’s story so special isn’t just the numbers — though they’re impressive. He played 60 games with the Western Bulldogs after being drafted in 2007, then became a foundational figure for the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS. Not just a player — a cornerstone. He was the GIANTS' inaugural co-captain, their first-ever best and fairest winner, and their all-time games record holder with 267 appearances for the club.
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His leadership? Unquestionable. His toughness? Legendary. And even in the final moments of his career, that leadership never wavered. Right after suffering what turned out to be a career-ending knee injury, he was still rallying the team at three-quarter time — his last act in footy being a motivational address that helped lift the GIANTS to a thrilling comeback win. That’s Callan Ward to a tee.
While he didn’t get the fairytale finish of a premiership — the one thing that kept him pushing for one last season — his legacy is etched deep in the heart of the GIANTS and the AFL as a whole. He helped build a club from the ground up, literally shaping its identity with grit, class, and selflessness. And despite missing the 2019 Grand Final through injury, he remained a symbol of everything the club aspired to be.
He retires with 163 goals, countless contested possessions, and the respect of everyone in the game — teammates, rivals, coaches, and fans. Off the field, he’s known as a role model and a mentor, and by all accounts, someone who’s helped set the standard for generations of GIANTS to follow.
Though we won’t see him lacing up the boots again, his presence will no doubt live on in the clubrooms, in the memories of fans, and in the DNA of the GIANTS culture. Callan Ward may be retiring from playing, but his story in footy is far from over.
Thanks, Wardy. Forever a GIANT.
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