GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward has won the Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player at the AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player Awards.

The award, which is voted on by all players in the AFL, cements the 28-year-old’s status as the toughest player in the AFL.

Ward becomes the first GIANT to win the award, finishing in front of veteran Bulldog Dale Morris, four-time winner Geelong captain Joel Selwood, Carlton’s Kade Simpson and Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton.

The 214-gamer is known for his ability to win contested possessions (averaging 12.9 contested possession a game in 2018) and lay crunching tackles (averaging 4 tackles per game in 2018).

Standing at just 185cm, the midfielder often takes down bigger opponents in contests in the ruck and around the ground.

His preparedness to put his body on the line when running back with the flight of the ball to take contested marks or effect a spoil has become a constant feature of his game.

GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said Ward deserved the recognition after years of courageous efforts.

“It’s one of those fantastic things to have a captain that is so courageous and leads by example every week,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s bordering on stupidity – and that’s not the right word, it’s bordering on the unbelievable with what he does.

“He keeps on cracking in there considering the size of him, which is great, but he’s not a big, thick midfielder.

“He just puts his body in spots where you cringe sometimes, and he’s been doing it for nine or 10 years and so I think it’s great recognition for what he’s been doing not only this year.”

The honour comes just 24 hours after Ward’s teammate Lachie Whitfield was named in his first Virgin Australia All Australian team.

Ward was named in the initial 40-man squad, but was overlooked for his maiden Virgin Australia All-Australian team selection.