One of the most respected and influential players in GIANTS history - Callan Ward - has announced his retirement from the AFL.

Ward, 35, brings to a close a remarkable 18-year career that spanned 327 games and saw him etch his name into the very fabric of two clubs — the Western Bulldogs, where it all began, and the GIANTS, where he became a legend.

A fierce competitor and natural-born leader, Ward departs the game as a trailblazer for the GIANTS, having played an instrumental role in the club’s formation, its culture, and its identity.

Originally drafted by the Western Bulldogs with pick 19 in the 2007 National Draft, Ward played 60 games in red, white, and blue across his first four seasons to quickly establish himself as one of the competition’s toughest and most talented young stars.

At the end of 2011 it was time for a new challenge for Ward who joined the AFL’s newest expansion side – the GIANTS – for their inaugural season. Ward’s impact was immediate.

Appointed an inaugural co-captain of the club, Ward helped guide a fledgling team through its formative years with resilience, leadership, and an unwavering belief in what they could become.

His influence was more than symbolic. On the field, Ward led from the front — a courageous, hard-running inside midfielder known for his relentless effort, composure under pressure, and unmatched toughness. He was the club’s first-ever goal kicker, its first club champion, and in 2024 became the first player to notch 250 games for the GIANTS — a testament to his durability, commitment, and class.

In 2018, Ward was recognised by his peers as the AFL’s Most Courageous Player, an honour that encapsulates the way he has played the game — fearless, selfless, and with genuine heart.

Ward finishes his career as the GIANTS’ current all-time games record holder, and his 327 AFL appearances — including 60 with the Western Bulldogs — place him among the game’s most enduring figures. He also leaves the game with 163 goals to his name, but perhaps more importantly, with the respect and admiration of the entire football community: teammates, coaches, opponents, and fans alike.

Not to be forgotten amongst his incredible durability and willingness to put his body in situations others dare not tread, is Ward’s skill by hand or foot, his trademark sidestep, and his ability to will his side to victory as one of the game’s best inside midfielders.

In his final years Ward showcased his adaptability and professionalism, embracing a new role on the wing in 2024 and again proving to be a critical piece of the GIANTS’ on-field engine. That form saw Ward sign a one-year extension at the end of the season, seeing the club legend return for a final lap in 2025 - his 14th season in orange and charcoal - and one last crack at that elusive GIANTS premiership.

Playing in all 12 of the club’s opening games of the 2025 season, Ward’s incredible AFL journey was brought to a heartbreaking and sudden close after suffering the second ACL rupture of his career while applying a tackle in the first quarter of the club’s round 12 win over Richmond at ENGIE Stadium.

Epitomising the nature of the man and the footballer, Ward’s final on-field act as an AFL footballer was a stirring three-quarter-time address to teammates not long after his career-ending injury, with the inspirational leader putting aside his own circumstances to rev up his side one last time. As everyone knew they would, the side responded to Ward’s words and kicked five unanswered goals in the final term to claw back from 28 points down and claim a thrilling three-point victory in honour of Ward.

While a heartbreaking way to end his extraordinary journey, Ward departs the game as a GIANTS legend — a player whose legacy is etched not only in club records and accolades, but in the culture, spirit, and heart of the organisation he helped build. Although his playing days are done, Callan Ward’s influence will be felt at the GIANTS for generations to come.

GIANTS Chief Executive Officer, David Matthews, said Ward’s impact at the GIANTS is immeasurable.

“Callan Ward has been the heart and soul of this football club since day one. 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,” Matthews said.

“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."

As Callan Ward steps away from the game, he does so not just as a former captain, not just as the club’s games record holder, but as a cornerstone of the GIANTS' story — one whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of players to come.

Thank you, Callan Ward. Forever a GIANT.