Ward, Giants await news about veteran's knee injury
The same brutal knee injury that robbed Callan Ward of the chance to play in a grand final now looks like ending his storied AFL career.
Ward and GWS are resigned to confirmation within the next couple of days that the much-loved Giants veteran has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear to his right knee.
"It feels like a bad one, an ACL. Initially I was probably in shock, but now I'm alright, there's a lot worse going on than me hurting my knee," Ward told Fox Footy at three-quarter time of Saturday's win over Richmond.
That would end his season, just as the ACL tear to Ward's left knee put him out of action as the Giants made their one grand final, the 2019 loss to Richmond.
Ward decided to play one more season this year in a last attempt to be part of the Giants' first premiership and he made a big sacrifice, with his family moving to Melbourne.
At 35, the 327-game veteran has probably been dealt one setback too many - regardless of the former co-captain's lofty status at the Giants.
But if Saturday was his last game, Ward made it memorable.
He set aside his own thoughts, speaking to the team at three-quarter time. It proved an inspiration, with the Giants kicking five goals to none in the last term and winning by three points.
"That's just a reflection of who he is. He puts the team ahead of himself and he's done that for 17 years," said coach Adam Kingsley.
"He saw the need to try and get his troops moving and he stepped in."
Kingsley added Ward's injury in the first quarter undoubtedly affected the team, who struggled early against Richmond. The veteran was in tears as he left the field and was hugged by teammate Lachie Whitfield before limping to the rooms.
"It sucked the life out of our players, without question," Kingsley said.
The Giants coach added regardless of how badly Ward is injured, he will continue to be a significant figure at GWS for the rest of the season.
"It doesn't look great, so obviously, incredibly disappointing for our footy club," Kingsley said of Ward's injury.
"He's such an important person, important player. I don't know (how) it will look for the rest of the season, but he'll be around supporting us.
"He's a fantastic club man, he sees the game really well. There's no doubt he'll add value in whatever he does, it just won't be on the field unfortunately."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Veteran Cornerback Ronald Darby Announces NFL Retirement
Veteran Cornerback Ronald Darby Announces NFL Retirement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Veteran cornerback Ronald Darby has informed the Houston Texans that he is retiring from the NFL. Darby, 31, signed a one-year deal with the Texans in March after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he appeared in 12 games during his only season with the team in 2024. Advertisement A second-round pick out of Florida State in 2015, where he helped the Seminoles win a national championship, Darby was selected by the Buffalo Bills and made an immediate impact, finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He started 15 games that season, recording 68 tackles and two interceptions. Over the course of his 10-year NFL career, Darby played in 118 games and made 107 starts, recording 447 tackles and eight interceptions. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) on the sidelines.© Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK The Maryland native also won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, even though his season was cut short by an ACL tear in November. Darby's retirement does leave a noticeable gap in Houston's secondary as the projected cornerback duo now consists of All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, both prone to injury. Advertisement Stingley played in just 20 of his first 34 games while Lassiter missed three games during his first year due to a shoulder injury and a concussion. The backup group includes Myles Bryant, D'Angelo Ross, Tremon Smith, third-round rookie from Iowa State Jaylin Smith and undrafted free agent Alijah Huzzie. If either starter does miss time, Darby's absence will test the rest of the group that has combined for just 25 career starts. Related: Texans Predicted to Land Proven Veteran to Protect C.J. Stroud Related: Texans Among Possible Trade Candidates for Dolphins All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Gabe Davis meeting with Steelers after Giants visit in free agency twist
Gabe Davis' free agency tour now includes a stop in Pittsburgh. The former Jaguars wide receiver will meet with the Steelers on Thursday following a visit with the Giants last month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday. Davis, 26, would help bolster Pittsburgh's receiving corps after the team traded star wideout George Pickens to the Cowboys in an early-May blockbuster. Advertisement 3 Gabe Davis was released by the Jaguars in May 2025. AP As it stands, the Steelers' depth chart at wide receiver includes two-time Pro-Bowler D.K. Metcalf, Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III, with Pat Freiermuth at tight end. The Steelers had eyed Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith and engaged in trade talks with the team late last week. However, Schefter reported Tuesday the team is 'not expected to trade for' Smith, who is seeking a new deal. Advertisement A fourth-round pick by the Bills in 2020, Davis spent four seasons in Buffalo before signing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jaguars last March in free agency. He hauled in just 20 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games before he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Jaguars shut him down for the season in November. Jacksonville released Davis last month. 3 Gabe Davis (13) spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Bills. USA TODAY Sports Advertisement The Giants have been viewed as a potential option for Davis, given his familiarity with head coach Brian Daboll as the two worked together in Buffalo when Daboll was the Bills' offensive coordinator. In his final season in Buffalo, Davis had 45 catches for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. Should the Steelers emerge as a real possibility for Davis, there's the question of who he'll be catching passes from this season. 3 The Steelers are bringing in Gabe Davis for a visit. AP Advertisement The Steelers' quarterback situation remains in flux, even as Aaron Rodgers has dropped hints about potentially signing with Pittsburgh. The former Jets quarterback remains unsigned as OTAs in Pittsburgh get underway with longtime backup Mason Rudolph taking first-team reps. Rodgers, 41, said in April he was tending to matters in his personal life before deciding on his football future. It remains to be seen if both Davis and Rodgers will be rocking the black and gold next season.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mets will ‘continue to monitor' Ronny Mauricio as he rakes in Triple-A
Ronny Mauricio, who has been red-hot at Triple-A, works on a hitting drill during Mets' spring training. Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free The Mets did not lose track of Ronny Mauricio since his major league debut in 2023, nor after undergoing ACL surgery in December of that year. Advertisement Now it's nearly impossible to ignore him as the 24-year-old Dominican is swinging a hot bat for Triple-A Syracuse. In his last seven games before Friday night's game against Iowa, Mauricio had gone 14-for-25 (.560) with three home runs and seven RBIs. The infielder is ramping back up to regular reps. He has played in three consecutive contests, but has yet to make the jump to playing three days in a row. Still, Mauricio has the Mets' attention. 'He's doing a great job. Number one is health and getting him back and building up the volume. We're continuing to do that,' president of baseball operations David Stearns said before the Mets' 4-2 win over the Rockies on Friday night at Citi Field. 'Any time you see players consistently hit lasers all over the field, which is what he's doing right now in Triple-A, you pay attention. We're paying attention and will continue to monitor that and see where it goes.' Advertisement Mauricio returned to action for the first time in 18 months on April 27 for Single-A St. Lucie, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and a strikeout. The Mets are pleased with Mauricio's progress since, but his impressive numbers are a small sample size. Ronny Mauricio, who has been red-hot at Triple-A, works on a hitting drill during Mets' spring training. Corey Sipkin / New York Post Stearns explained there are no specific thresholds in mind for Mauricio to pass, but a solid foundation at Syracuse while keeping his bat hot will be required. 'There aren't specific, 'You need to check this box. You need to check that box,' ' Stearns said. 'I think it's more subjective. Is he comfortable playing the field regularly? Does he look right? Offensively, it sure does seem he got himself right pretty quickly, which is very impressive. He certainly has development left in his offensive game. He's likely never going to be the type of guy with Juan Soto-type plate discipline. But there are probably some strides he can make there.' Advertisement 'I think it's fair if he were 100 percent healthy and has had 200 plate appearances already this year, it's a much easier decision.' While not a pressing decision at the moment, the Mets would have a challenge in finding where Mauricio fits. Ronny Mauricio connects on a RBI single in 2023. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Mark Vientos is in the DH spot, Brett Baty is hitting confidently and holding down third base, and Jeff McNeil and Luisangel Acuña are at second base. However, Acuña's playing time has dipped since April.
