Ward nominated for the 2007 AFL National Draft. Leading into the draft, five player managers vied to represent him, and a week out from the draft he decided with Paul Connors, who also represents Chris Judd. He was selected by the Bulldogs with their second selection (#19 overall) at 10.12 am after being a mere 20 days old enough to nominate for the draft.[1]
He made his debut against St Kilda in Round 11, collecting 12 disposals and finishing with one goal. In his debut year, he played six games while juggling full-time football and his last year of high school. He had an outstanding season in 2009 playing in the mould of Tony Liberatore. He tackles with aggression, marks well and knows how to kick a goal. He is a team player and can be used in a variety of positions including a tagging role.
Greater Western Sydney career (2012–present)[edit]
On 5 September 2011, Callan announced that as of the 2012 season, he had signed for the Greater Western Sydney Football Club. He was the second player to announce that he had signed with the Giants. It was later announced, he would be made co-captain alongside Phil Davis and Luke Power.
On 24 March 2012, in the Giants debut AFL match against the Sydney Swans, he kicked their first ever goal.[2]
Ward was named the Giants' Best and Fairest for 2012, being awarded the inaugural Kevin Sheedy Medal.[3]
In 2014 Ward polled 15 votes in the Brownlow Medal, the most of any GWS player in the club's history. This included four best-on-ground performances, two of which were narrow seven-point losses to St Kilda and Hawthorn.[4]
Callan is the grandson of former South Melbourne player, Bill Gunn, who played 104 games for them from 1952 to 1959. He also captained them in the 1955 season.
