Latest news with #CallanWard

News.com.au

5 hours ago

Health
News.com.au

Callan Ward tells all post ACL tear

AFL: Callan Ward has stopped by to speak to Gerard and Garry on AFL 360 after suffering a potential career-ending ACL tear.

Callan Ward turning heartbreak into inspiration sums up all that is wonderful about AFL

The Guardian

2 days ago

Entertainment
The Guardian

Callan Ward turning heartbreak into inspiration sums up all that is wonderful about AFL

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon would have to rank among the most wooden media performers I have seen or heard. Many in the industry speak highly of him and his ability to distil and diffuse, the sort of operator every leader wants by their side. But he is no frontman. Last week, he did the radio rounds justifying the latest executive shakeup. As always, it sounded like he was reading off well-thumbed, suggested speaking notes. Look, he droned; crowds, ratings and revenue are all up – we're doing so much right! It was an AI response to a very human sport. The best of Australian rules football can't be explained in media releases, or in org charts, or in SEN Fireball Friday hot takes. The best of this sport can be found at the grassroots level, or on hall of fame night, or in thousands of little moments around the country each weekend. One of those occurred late on Saturday afternoon, in front of bugger all people, in a part of the country where footy hasn't yet taken hold. The best of the sport was probably the worst moment of Callan Ward's career. The GWS Giants inaugural co-captain lay on a massage table, sobbing. Lachie Whitfield, a teammate of 13 years, crouched down to Ward's level, hugged him, and kissed him on the cheek. Sentimental slop, you may say, and it is to a degree. But in an industry of grind and grift, it was a tender, human moment that said a lot about both the injured player and his club. When Ward first went to Greater Western Sydney, some saw him as a traitor. He had grown up in Melbourne's inner west, the son of a man who played VFA for Yarraville and the grandson of a former South Melbourne captain. He was booed by Western Bulldogs supporters when he was still playing for them. The Herald Sun devoted its front page to the story, under the headline 'Money Rules', with a photo of Ward's mother Kerri and his three sisters holding a framed photo of their brother in action for the Bulldogs. Don't blame Callan, his mum said. Blame the AFL. 'The days of the one-club player are really dying out, particularly when you have clubs being set up like this where they come along and offer ludicrous amounts of money to play football.' Inspirational. Despite his injury, Cal Ward fires up his team before the final term.#AFLGiantsTigers But Ward was no cheque collector, no mercenary and no flight risk. There was a swagger, a competitiveness and a camaraderie at the Giants that was distinct from what the Gold Coast cultivated. No one personified that refusal to yield more than Ward. Even when they were being trounced by 20 goals, they'd be mouthing off, putting their heads over the ball, and rallying around one another. Yes, plenty of players left to return to their home state, but they never had the player drain of the Suns, especially among their leaders. There were a lot of flashy, preternaturally talented players on that list. But Ward was a proper footballer. He didn't do many interviews, didn't rant or rave, and was a completely different personality to his co-captain Phil Davis. But he was the sort of leader people were drawn to and rallied around. He was rarely out of the top half dozen players. He was a reliable big game performer. He excelled in the often brutal Sydney derbies. But there was more to his game than a headfirst bulldozer. Martial artists often speak of 'heavy hips and light feet' and Ward had the ability to get down low, to evenly distribute his weight over the ball, and accelerate out of a stoppage. Ward has had some rotten luck. He played in five losing preliminary finals, and several of them could have gone either way. In the 2016 preliminary final, one of the best games of this era, his head collided with Zaine Cordy's knee and he was left twitching on the turf. He wrecked his knee early in the 2019 season, the only year the Giants have played off in a grand final. Late in last year's qualifying final, another classic, he charged through a stoppage, split a pair of Swans and banana kicked a goal to put them up by two majors. But the Giants lost that game and coughed up a seven-goal lead to eventual premiers Brisbane a week later, putting Ward's retirement plans on hold. He's been a remote footballer this year, living in separate states to his wife and his three gloriously named sons, Romeo, Ralfie, and Rex. Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion There have been better and more talented footballers than Callan Ward. There have been footballers with more accolades, blazers, votes and medallions. There have been footballers who racked up bigger numbers, who looked better on a stats sheet. But there aren't many footballers who've been more admired, or meant more to a single club. His injury and his three-quarter time address summed up everything that is hard and wonderful and meaningful about the sport. They were moments where football spoke for itself, where nothing needed to be defended, or sold, or spun.

Giant Ward to consult with surgeon after suspected ACL

The Advertiser

2 days ago

Sport
The Advertiser

Giant Ward to consult with surgeon after suspected ACL

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. The club's first best-and-fairest winner has travelled back to Melbourne to be with his family and will consult with a surgeon in coming days. "It feels like a bad one, an ACL. Initially I was probably in shock, but now I'm all right. 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 wife Ruby and their three children 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 final 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." He said Ward's injury in the first quarter undoubtedly affected the team, who struggled early against Richmond. Ward 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 that 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." 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. The club's first best-and-fairest winner has travelled back to Melbourne to be with his family and will consult with a surgeon in coming days. "It feels like a bad one, an ACL. Initially I was probably in shock, but now I'm all right. 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 wife Ruby and their three children 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 final 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." He said Ward's injury in the first quarter undoubtedly affected the team, who struggled early against Richmond. Ward 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 that 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." 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. The club's first best-and-fairest winner has travelled back to Melbourne to be with his family and will consult with a surgeon in coming days. "It feels like a bad one, an ACL. Initially I was probably in shock, but now I'm all right. 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 wife Ruby and their three children 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 final 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." He said Ward's injury in the first quarter undoubtedly affected the team, who struggled early against Richmond. Ward 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 that 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."

ACL fears and tears after Giants great goes down

The Advertiser

3 days ago

Sport
The Advertiser

ACL fears and tears after Giants great goes down

GWS great Callan Ward was in tears after suffering a knee injury that looks like ending his storied AFL career. The obvious fear on Saturday afternoon at Engie Stadium was that the former Giants captain had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear. If that is the case, the 35-year-old will not play again this season. He signed a one-year deal for 2025 and is living apart from his wife and three young children, who are in Melbourne, as he tries to win an elusive premiership. There were emotional scenes in the first term when Ward needed help from trainers to limp from the field. The home fans warmly applauded one of their favourite players, and fellow veteran Giant Lachie Whitfield hugged Ward before he was helped to the rooms. Ward had contested a mark on the outer wing with opponent Hugo Ralphsmith, then the ball went to ground. The Giants veteran's right leg pivoted as he tried to tackle Ralphsmith and he collapsed in agony. All the immediate signs, and all the TV commentary, was that Ward had done an ACL. Ward was one of the Giants' first co-captains when they joined the AFL in 2012 and he has played 326 games - 60 for the Western Bulldogs and 266 for GWS. An ACL tear in his left knee ruined Ward's 2019 season, meaning he missed their only grand final so far, which they lost to the Tigers. GWS kicked the opening goal of Saturday's game, but Richmond piled on the next five to take control in the first quarter after Ward left the field. GWS great Callan Ward was in tears after suffering a knee injury that looks like ending his storied AFL career. The obvious fear on Saturday afternoon at Engie Stadium was that the former Giants captain had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear. If that is the case, the 35-year-old will not play again this season. He signed a one-year deal for 2025 and is living apart from his wife and three young children, who are in Melbourne, as he tries to win an elusive premiership. There were emotional scenes in the first term when Ward needed help from trainers to limp from the field. The home fans warmly applauded one of their favourite players, and fellow veteran Giant Lachie Whitfield hugged Ward before he was helped to the rooms. Ward had contested a mark on the outer wing with opponent Hugo Ralphsmith, then the ball went to ground. The Giants veteran's right leg pivoted as he tried to tackle Ralphsmith and he collapsed in agony. All the immediate signs, and all the TV commentary, was that Ward had done an ACL. Ward was one of the Giants' first co-captains when they joined the AFL in 2012 and he has played 326 games - 60 for the Western Bulldogs and 266 for GWS. An ACL tear in his left knee ruined Ward's 2019 season, meaning he missed their only grand final so far, which they lost to the Tigers. GWS kicked the opening goal of Saturday's game, but Richmond piled on the next five to take control in the first quarter after Ward left the field. GWS great Callan Ward was in tears after suffering a knee injury that looks like ending his storied AFL career. The obvious fear on Saturday afternoon at Engie Stadium was that the former Giants captain had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear. If that is the case, the 35-year-old will not play again this season. He signed a one-year deal for 2025 and is living apart from his wife and three young children, who are in Melbourne, as he tries to win an elusive premiership. There were emotional scenes in the first term when Ward needed help from trainers to limp from the field. The home fans warmly applauded one of their favourite players, and fellow veteran Giant Lachie Whitfield hugged Ward before he was helped to the rooms. Ward had contested a mark on the outer wing with opponent Hugo Ralphsmith, then the ball went to ground. The Giants veteran's right leg pivoted as he tried to tackle Ralphsmith and he collapsed in agony. All the immediate signs, and all the TV commentary, was that Ward had done an ACL. Ward was one of the Giants' first co-captains when they joined the AFL in 2012 and he has played 326 games - 60 for the Western Bulldogs and 266 for GWS. An ACL tear in his left knee ruined Ward's 2019 season, meaning he missed their only grand final so far, which they lost to the Tigers. GWS kicked the opening goal of Saturday's game, but Richmond piled on the next five to take control in the first quarter after Ward left the field.