Victor Chi
Updated on: October 8, 2024 9:26 am GMT
Greater Western Sydney’s Callan Ward Extends Career Ahead of Finals Showdown
Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants stalwart Callan Ward has officially re-signed with the club for another year, solidifying his commitment to the team as they prepare for a critical finals campaign. The 34-year-old veteran, who boasts a distinguished 17-season career in the Australian Football League (AFL), aims to pursue his dream of a premiership before potentially hanging up his boots.
Ward’s new one-year deal comes at a pivotal time, with the Giants facing the Sydney Swans in a qualifying final at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) this Saturday. The match is not only crucial for the team’s finals prospects but also holds considerable significance for Ward, who has expressed a desire to complete his career with a championship title.
Since making his debut with the Western Bulldogs in 2008, Ward has played a total of 313 AFL matches. He transitioned to the Giants in 2012 during the club’s formative season, serving as an inaugural co-captain and leading the team until 2019. His legacy with the Giants includes being their first club champion, the first goal kicker, and the games record-holder with 253 matches played for the team.
“Cal is a heart and soul player of our club, and we’re thrilled to see him extend his incredible legacy into next year,” stated GWS football boss Jason McCartney. “His contribution to the club has been profound, and he embodies everything we stand for… His re-signing is a testament to the high level of footy that he’s still producing, and we’re confident he still has a big role to play at the Giants.”
Despite the ongoing success of the Giants, Ward has yet to play in a grand final, missing the opportunity in 2019 due to an ACL injury that curtailed his season just as GWS reached the decider. This year, he has participated in 18 games, showcasing his versatility by predominantly playing on the wing.
Current Form and Team Optimism
As the Giants gear up for their second consecutive finals appearance, Ward has remained optimistic about his team’s form and potential. He acknowledged that while he has experienced a quieter month in terms of personal performance, he feels confident in both his ability to contribute and the team’s overall strategy as they prepare for the finals series.
“Going into the finals series, I’m pretty confident in how we’re playing as a team, but also how I’m playing,” Ward commented on his current form. “This is our equal best finish to a season. We’re taking a lot of confidence into the finals, that’s for sure.”
Ward recognized that the team experienced doubts earlier in the season, especially during a rough patch. However, he noted that their consistency has improved significantly over the past few weeks, and he believes they still have the capacity to elevate their performance further. “Maybe we had some doubts in the middle of the year when we weren’t going crash hot, but the last eight weeks our consistency has been much better,” he added.
Challenges Ahead for the Giants
While the team’s morale appears to be high, there are concerns regarding their midfield depth as they approach the match against the Swans. Key player Toby Bedford will miss the game due to injury, and Finn Callaghan has been sidelined in recent practices. Additionally, both ruckman Keiren Briggs and midfielder Stephen Coniglio have been battling shoulder issues, raising concerns about their performance in the finals.
“There’s no doubt ‘Brigger’ (Briggs) and ‘Cogs’ (Coniglio) have been sore, but they wouldn’t play if they didn’t think they could get through finals. They’re not selfish players,” Ward reassured fans. “They think they can play well, and we’ll back them in all the way.”
Despite the Giants’ recent struggles against the Swans in the home-and-away season, Ward remains optimistic about their ability to perform on the big stage. Interestingly, the Giants hold a winning record in their last three finals against Sydney, a stat that adds to the anticipation of this must-watch qualifying final.
“I’ve been here for 13 years now, and I’ve learnt so much about that football club (Sydney), how you should run a football club and play your football,” Ward reflected. He expressed deep respect for the Sydney Swans as “the proven best team in the competition.” Ward emphasized the importance of adapting their game plan to improve on past performances against their rivals.
Looking Forward
With the finals rapidly approaching, the excitement surrounding Ward’s new contract and the Giants’ prospects intensifies. The match against the Swans will be a critical moment not only for the team’s chances of moving forward in the finals but also for Ward as he seeks to cement his legacy with a premier title.
The GWS Giants are getting ready to play against the Sydney Swans this weekend. Both fans and players are excited and a little nervous. They are all hoping that Ward’s hard work and the team’s teamwork will help them win the championship.
