Callan Ward: Footy star makes one of the most heartbreaking sacrifices in Australian sport – and admits it has hit him hard after just two weeks: ‘I don’t know how I will handle this’

Callan Ward is desperate to retire an AFL premiership winner – so much so, the GWS Giants midfielder will sacrifice being away from his young family for the entire season in a bid to achieve September glory.

Ward, 34, joined the club in their inaugural year in 2012 from the Western Bulldogs and has gone onto chalk up a record 255 appearances.

He was close to hanging up his boots last year, but a move to the wing revitalised his career.

A painful straight-sets finals exit has spurred on the GWS playing group all pre-season – and Ward doesn’t want to ponder what might have been.

So he made the bold decision to remain in Sydney over the next few months in a Bondi unit while his wife Ruby Keddie moved to Melbourne with the couple’s three kids.

The Wards are committed to their long-distance set-up – and the footy star is well aware how selfless his wife is.

‘I already miss the kids so much and it’s only been a couple of weeks since we’ve done this properly,’ Ward told AFL.com.au

‘I don’t know how I will handle this….but I feel like the mum Ruby is… she is amazing, doesn’t complain and just gets it done.’

He added that Ruby is ‘coping really well’ and that his ‘family will help out a fair bit as well, they live close by.’

Ward won the best and fairest in the Giants’ inaugural season and captained the club for the first eight seasons.

He missed the heavy 2019 grand final defeat at the hands of Richmond after rupturing his ACL earlier that year – and firmly believes his teammates can win an elusive flag this season.

‘We still have the belief that we can beat anyone, we just need to be more consistent,’ he said.

‘I feel like we’re in a really good spot and ready to improve on last year.’

GWS open their 2025 premiership campaign on March 9 with a blockbuster clash on home soil against Collingwood.