Callan Ward returns to family in Melbourne after suffering suspected ACL injury

The same brutal knee injury that robbed Callan Ward of the chance to play in a grand final now looks like ending his storied AFL career.

Ward and GWS are resigned to confirmation as early as Sunday that the much-loved Giants veteran has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear to his right knee.

The club’s first best-and-fairest winner has already travelled back to Melbourne to be with his family and will consult with a surgeon in the coming days.

“It feels like a bad one, an ACL. Initially I was probably in shock, but now I’m all right. There’s a lot worse going on than me hurting my knee,” Ward told Fox Sports at three-quarter time of Saturday’s win over Richmond.

That would end his season, just as the ACL tear to Ward’s left knee put him out of action as the Giants made their one grand final, the 2019 loss to Richmond.

Ward decided to play one more season this year in a last attempt to be part of the Giants’ first premiership, and he made a big sacrifice, with his wife Ruby and their three children — including a son born in November last year — moving to Melbourne.

“I already miss the kids so much and it’s only been a couple of weeks since we’ve done this properly,” Ward said in February.

“I feel like the mum Ruby is... she is just amazing, doesn’t complain and just gets it done, so if it wasn’t for her and her support, I think I would really struggle.

“I’m really confident that she can make it work, and we can make it work. I’d struggle if she was really struggling with me not being there. My family will help out a fair bit as well, they live close by. At the moment she is coping really well.”

At 35, the 327-game veteran has probably been dealt one setback too many — regardless of the former co-captain’s lofty status at the Giants.

But if Saturday was his last game, Ward made it memorable.

He set aside his own thoughts, speaking to the team at three-quarter time. It proved an inspiration, with the Giants kicking five goals to none in the final term and winning by three points.

“That’s just a reflection of who he is. He puts the team ahead of himself and he’s done that for 17 years,” said coach Adam Kingsley.

“He saw the need to try and get his troops moving and he stepped in.”

He said Ward’s injury in the first quarter undoubtedly affected the team, who struggled early against Richmond.

Ward was in tears as he left the field and was hugged by teammate Lachie Whitfield before limping to the rooms.

“It sucked the life out of our players, without question,” Kingsley said.

The Giants coach added that regardless of how badly Ward is injured, he will continue to be a significant figure at GWS for the rest of the season.

“It doesn’t look great, so obviously incredibly disappointing for our footy club,” Kingsley said of Ward’s injury.

“He’s such an important person, important player. I don’t know (how) it will look for the rest of the season, but he’ll be around supporting us.

“He’s a fantastic club man, he sees the game really well. There’s no doubt he’ll add value in whatever he does, it just won’t be on the field unfortunately.”

- with 7NEWS