“Get out”: Ward recalls brutal moment after leaving Dogs

Within GWS’s short history, there have been few players to have such an impact on the club’s culture as Callan Ward.

Having spent four seasons with the Western Bulldogs, the then 21-year-old decided to move to the AFL’s newest club on a deal worth $4 million over five years.

After joining the club as its inaugural co-captain with fellow recruit Phil Davis and Luke Power, the midfielder went on to have a storied career with the club, playing 267 games whilst winning its inaugural best and fairest award.  

Reflecting on when he first found out about the interest from the Giants from his manager Paul Connors, Ward admitted it was the first time he learnt of their impending entry.

“I remember he pulled out a sheet of paper, and it had 100 names which were all his athletes,” Ward explained on This is Your Journey - thanks to Tobin Brothers.

“He actually circled three of the names, and I was one of the names circled. I had no idea what he was referring to or why my name was circled.

“But he said there was a new team coming in and they are interested in these three players and I was one of them along with Dale Thomas and Dayne Beams as well.

“I didn’t even know there was a new team coming into the competition.”  

Straight away, the midfielder was confused about GWS’s interest in his signature and was initially against the move.

But upon further consideration, Ward saw the opportunity in joining the Giants.

“My first question was why were they interested in me?” he continued.

“To me it was so strange; there were so many good players in the competition. I never viewed myself as a great player, so I was just in shock.

“From there it garnered more interest as the season went on.

“I guess initially, I was very, very against it. I never could see myself leaving the Dogs or moving out from where I grew up and being in my comfort zone.

“But I guess the more the season went on, the more I thought about it, the more I spoke to people (about it), the more I realised the opportunity was a great one.”

After changing his mind and eventually agreeing to join the expansion club for its inaugural season, the 327-game player was then asked to tell his teammates at the Western Bulldogs of his decision on the morning of Mad Monday, resulting in an awkward situation.

“I don’t even remember telling them, to be honest,” Ward said.

“I don’t remember if it was Paul (Connors) or myself. I’m hoping it was me.

“I do remember the morning of Mad Monday, everyone got a text (at) like 7am, which doesn’t really happen on a Mad Monday morning.

“I think the message read something like everyone (is) expected to be at the club at 8:30am for a meeting. Everyone was like, this is strange, something is going on.

“Then I started thinking, maybe they’ve heard that I’m leaving because I hadn’t told them. I can’t remember what happened, but I was thinking maybe this is because of me.

“I was hoping not because I would hate for all the players to have to go into the club (and for it) to be about me.

“In the end, the first half of the meeting was about me and the second half was about the off-season program and that sort of boring stuff.

“When I first got in the meeting room, James Fantasia, who was the footy boss at the time, said straight away, Wardy, up the front and tell the group what you’re doing.

“I stood up there, and I don’t like public speaking at the best of times, especially as a 21-year-old who’s leaving their football club and I explained I was going to the Giants.

“I sat down in my seat as normal, and James Fantasia was like, 'Alright, get out of here'.

“So, I got up out of my seat, and I wasn’t welcome from that point.”

Listen to the full chat with Sam Edmund below: