By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
CALLAN Ward certainly hasn’t forgotten where he has come from.
The GWS captain has become one of the stars of the AFL, but that doesn’t mean he has forgotten his days at the Spotswood Football Club, where he fell in love with the game.
“It all started back in Auskick,” Ward said.
“I remember I loved it and I also remember losing most weeks and coming second last in the competition.
“Most of all I remember playing footy alongside my best mates, which was the most important part.”
Ward said he had always dreamt of playing on the biggest stage, but never thought playing footy full time would be a realistic option for him.
“In Under-16’s, I managed to make it into the Western Jets’ development squad, that’s when I took footy more seriously.
“I then made the final squad which I wasn’t expecting and then I was picked in the Vic squad, I played out the rest of the year and then I got drafted.”
The talented midfielder was selected with pick 19 in the 2007 draft to the Western Bulldogs.
Fast forward nine years and Ward is the co-captain of the GWS Giants, is a best and fairest winner, has an All-Australian honour and is about to play his 150th game.
That milestone will be the furthest thing from his mind as he runs through the banner on Saturday night.
However, despite the Giants leader focusing on the prospects of playing finals footy for the first time, he says he has taken the time to reflect on his career so far.
“Playing 150 games in the AFL is very surreal,” Ward said.
“When I started playing at the Bulldogs, guys were entering their eighth and ninth years. I was playing with Rob Murphy and Matthew Boyd, who were my heroes and now I am at that same stage, it is really strange to me.”
The Giants have started the season strongly, winning four of their six matches, including a massive victory over Hawthorn, last weekend.
The 26-year-old said while the positive start to the 2016 was good, his team wasn’t getting ahead of themselves.
“People want to play finals and want to win premierships, I’m more about the cliché of playing one week at a time,” Ward said.
“It is an even competition.
“You have to keep winning games, there is no guarantee you will play finals.
“We just to win games and improve week to week and in the 11 wins from last year and play more consistent footy, ultimately that would put us in contention.”
Ward said he was also relishing his role as co-captain of the Giants.
“Being captain is not something I jumped at, I turned it down at the start,” Ward said.
“But I took it on, it put me out of my comfort zone, it has been a massive learning curve, but I enjoy helping my team-mates.”
Before the season started, Ward also signed a five year contract extension with GWS, making him a Giant at least until the end of 2021.
“By that stage I would have been playing with the Giants for 10 years,” Ward said.
“I have loved my time here, I have loved it since I first walked in, from the coaches, to the staff to the players, everyone involved with this club are great people.
“I enjoy coming to work and I extended the contract because I can see the potential in this list.”
Last Modified on 05/05/2016 10:42