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Sport Nation
Giants legend calls time on stellar AFL career
Jaiden Sciberras • August 4th, 2025 2:35 pm
GWS legend and AFL great Callan Ward has called time on his illustrious football career.
Spanning 18 years at the top level, Ward featured in 327 games, 267 as a stoic leader for the Giants, taking the reigns as the inaugural captain in 2011 following an impressive 60-game stint with the Western Bulldogs.
Unfortunately for Ward, his 18th AFL season was cut short, suffering an ACL rupture in Round 12 in what would turn out to be the 35-year-old’s final game of AFL football.
As tough and courageous as any, Ward retires with the most games as a Giant in the club’s short history and will undoubtedly go down as one of the founding members of the GWS franchise.
“Callan Ward has been the heart and soul of this football club since day one," GWS' CEO David Matthews said.
“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.
“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.
"We also extend our very best wishes to Ruby, Romeo, Ralfie, and Rex as they embark on their next chapter as a family. You’ll always be a part of the GIANTS family and we wish you nothing but success and happiness in the future."
