Callan WARD

2017 Digest:   Co-captain relished the wet weather in JLT2 to get his season going. Underrated how pivotal his leadership is in team.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1	Adel	Always ready to get his hands dirty but was outmuscled in the midfield.	6
2	GCS	12 clearances and 32 touches highlights a fine performance leading the GWS midfield. Tough as old boots.	8
3	NM	Powerhouse game in the midfield with 29 possessions and a booming sealing goal.	7
4	Port	A rare quiet one for the co-captain. A bit better in second half, but was really a factor.	4
5	Syd	Skipper led the way with a typically hard-nosed display across four quarters.	7
6	WB	Former Doggie got injured early but returned to lead team. Gathered 15 contested possessions and five clearances.	7
7	StK	Gut running midfielder provided plenty of drive and grunt around the ball. Won 15 contested possessions and five clearances.	8
8	Coll	Ripped the ball out of a couple of centre bounces and tackled well (six) but not much influence.	4
9	Rich	Willed his team forward when needed but didn’t have a big night.	6
10	WCE	Won 11 clearances and 33 possessions. Fantastic.	8
11	Ess	Put head over the ball as always, but not as prominent as he can be.	5
12	Carl	Tough and rugged around the contest all day. Seven clearances, nine score involvements and a great goal were his highlights.	8
13		Bye.
14	Bris	Did as he pleased and seemed as if he didn’t have an opponent. Deservedly finished with a last quarter goal.	7
15	Geel	Co-skipper had a great game. Racked up 33 touches, eight clearances, one goal and six tackles.	8
16	Haw	A performance we’ve come to expect. 32 disposals, 10 clearances and a last quarter goal. Tough as old boots.	7
17	Syd	The skipper kept driving the Giants forward, particularly against the tide. 32 disposals and eight clearances. Just about their best.	8
18	Rich	Relished conditions to grab team-high 37 disposals, nine clearances and 16 contested possessions.	8
19	Frem	Not his greatest performance, only 2 contested possessions.	5
20	Melb	Strong over the footy all day and kicked handy goal into the breeze. A workhorse that leads from the front.	8
21	WB	Former Dog didn’t have huge numbers but as always played hard when the ball came into his area.	6
22	WCE	Skipper stood up when it mattered and was big inside. 21 pressure acts, 15 contested possessions, and eight clearances.	8
23	Geel	Huge around the ball all night and was the Giants’ best; 37 disposals, seven clearances and five inside-50s.	8
QF	Adel	Battled hard against the tide early, then was at the forefront when GWS made a mini charge.	7
SF	WCE	‘Cement Head’ led from the front all night to help Giants into another prelim.	7
PF	Rich	Huge first half helped keep side in it and while effort faded slightly he did what he could; 25 touches and three goals.	7

2016 Season

1	Melb	Huge effort headlined by 14 contested possessions, two goals and a score assist.	8
2	Geel	Instrumental in negating Cats’ dangerous midfielders and won plenty of ball himself.	8
3	Syd	Solid contributor in the midfield with 13 contested possessions.	5
4	Port	Good effort around the stoppages with 11 contested possessions and six clearances.	7
5	StK	Again led from the front with his attack on the ball and organisation around the stoppages.	7
6	Haw	Got hands on ball in important contests. A typically hard worker.	7
7	Frem	Won 10 clearances among 31 disposals. Sensational effort.	8
8	GCS	Led from the front by putting his head over the ball and working hard both ways.	6
9	WB	Instrumental captain’s game with 13 contested possessions, 11 tackles and seven clearances.	8
10	Adel	Played out of the game by Sloane in absorbing duel.	6
11	Geel	Battled Selwood and first half great then got smoked. Nine clearances, nine tackles.	7
12	Syd	Won the ball in close (12 contested possessions) and led the way in early third-term onslaught.	7
13	Ess	Struggled first half but then lifted after main break to grab 15 disposals.	7
14	Carl	Best work was done at stoppages with nine clearances. Also had 15 contested possessions.	8
16	Coll	Tried as hard as ever but Magpies controlled clearances after first term.	5
17	Bris	Three goals in third term, 20 contested possessions and even five hit-outs. Sublime effort.	9
18	Port	Five clearances and six inside-50s, always put his head over the footy.	7
19	Rich	Decent display in midfield. Six clearances, six tackles.	6
20	GCS	Good four quarter effort and in and under as usual.	7
21	WCE	Put his head down and bum up when work had to be done in middle. Six clearances.	7
22	Frem	Solid game. Strong at the coalface, and generally used the ball well.	6
23	NM	Seven clearances and 10 contested possessions highlight his strong impact.	7
QF	Syd	Fitting that he barged through for a late goal to squash Swans. Excellent leader.	7
PF	WB	Going well until knocked out by Cordy knee in marking contest. Day was done.	2

2015 Season

1	StK	Skipper laid five tackles and used the ball well when he got it. Solid.	7
2	Melb	Led from the front with his attack on the ball and man. 27 possessions.	7
3	Syd	Ball use has really improved and won 11 CPs and laid five tackles.	7
4	GCS	Whether in midfield, back or forward, was sublime and never gave an inch.	8
5	WCE	Good in the contests. Tried hard all night.	6
6	Haw	Led from the front to produce an inspirational captain’s performance.	8
7	Carl	Slightly subdued thanks to Carrazzo tag. Broke free after half time.	5
8	Adel	Consistency plays his part in midfield. 26 touches again.	7
9	WB	Unusually quiet display by GWS skipper.	4
10	Bris	Led from the front with 32 possessions and 12 bone-crunching tackles. Superb.	8
11	Coll	Put head over ball as usual and set the tone in early contests. Ran game out well.	7
12	NM	Good battle with Ziebell in midfield. Neither player gave an inch.	7
14	Rich	Possessions not huge but worked hard – 11 contested possessions.	6
15	StK	Tore into every contest and led from the front.	7
16	GCS	Equal leading possession winner on the field, was everywhere.	8
17	Geel	Quiet game from skipper. Couldn’t get enough ball to hurt the Cats.	5
18	Frem	Had 21 disposals but they weren’t damaging.	5
19	Ess	No impact in first half but put head down and got to work.	6
20	Port	A game-high 11 clearances and never backed away from a contest.	7
21	Syd	Had a crack but not his best game.	5
22	Carl	Shadowed by Curnow and only broke free when game was over.	6
23	Melb	One of the Giants’ best in midfield and never stopped trying when game was gone.	7

2014 Season

1	Syd	Irrepressible display and tough approach showed great leadership.	8
2	StK	Shook the tag by Geary and constantly drove team forward.	7
3	Melb	Iron hard and inspiring leader at every contest.	7
4	WB	Tagged by Wallis and struggled to break free to any degree.	4
5	Adel	Came off second best after a clash of heads from a Douglas bump.	4
6	GCS	Typically gritty display by the skipper and booted a goal.	8
7	Port	Career-high touches, 11 marks, 10 clearances, eight tackles – brilliant.	10
8	WCE	Tagged by Selwood and had little support in trying to break free.	6
10	Rich	Tagged by Thomas then Grigg and wasn’t able to have any real impact.	5
11	Haw	Not much more he could have done: 13 tackles and 22 contested poss.	8
12	Ess	Had to contend with Hocking’s close tagging but still generated moves.	6
13	Bris	Hard nut in middle showed way and led the charge.	7
14	Carl	It was simply another brilliant all-round performance from the co-captain.	8
15	Syd	He sets such high standards but this wasn't one of his best games.	5
16	Adel	Worked hard and had several clashes with Douglas who floored him last year.	5
17	Frem	Crowley had him at times but kept working for 12 contested possessions.	7
18	Geel	Huge – 17 contested possessions, six clearances, a goal and five tackles.	8
19	Rich	Kicked a goal and worked hard around the stoppages to get ball going forward.	7
20	NM	Didn’t have a great afternoon. Just 16 touches and was in and out.	4
21	Melb	Involved early until injured calf late in second term and day was over.	3
22		Calf.
23	NEAFL	Calf.	-
QF		-
SF		-
PF		-
GF		-

2013 Season

1	Syd	Forced to handball a lot (13) and was sent to Kennedy in second half. OK.	6
2	Port	Big first quarter and showed the way as a leader.	7
3	StK	Won the ball well out of the middle and hard at it all game.	7
4	Melb	Took a while to get into it but got motoring in the middle quarters.	6
5	GCS	Won a lot of ball and worked tirelessly.	6
6	Ess	Battled hard but only 15 possessions and sloppy disposal by the skipper.	5
7	Adel	Gave a whole-hearted effort across four quarters.	7
8	Haw	Earned lot of the ball and worked tirelessly as usual.	7
9	WCE	Managed nine tackles but it was a rare off day for GWS's best player.	5
10	Carl	Clearly the Giants’ best. A goer for four quarters – left nothing on the paddock.	7
11	Geel	Close to side’s best with a sizzling effort. Always around the ball.	8
12	Port	Work-ethic unquestioned, but a subdued day by his standards.	5
14	NM	Tagged by Greenwood and didn’t get into the game at all.	4
15	WB	The co-captain was unusually quiet against his old side, beaten by Clay Smith.	4
16	Syd	Led the team in possessions and tackles but little support from his teammates.	6
17	Ess	Had a quiet few weeks by his lofty standards.	4
18	Coll	Superb effort leading from the front. Led the team in disposals (32) and marks (nine).	8
19	Melb	Led Grimes a merry dance on his way to 31 possessions and four crucial goals.	9
20	Frem	Won a lot of footy but got most of it in his defensive 50. Team-high 13 cont poss.	7
21	Bris	Started on Redden. Four disposals in first half, 14 for match. Below par.	4
22	Rich	Just 18 touches being tagged by Jackson but laid nine tackles to show the way.	6
23		Hip.
QF
SF
PF
GF

2012 Season

1	Syd	Into record books as the first goal kicker. Head down all night.	6
2	NM	Started on Bastinac and had a quiet day until moving to attack final term.	5
3	WCE	Led from the front all day: 36 possessions and a goal. Super.	8
4	Adel	The Giant’s best with 32 disposals including seven clearances.	8
5	WB	Down on his previous few weeks against his old side.	4
6	Carl	Eland ran with him for a lot of day and that reduced his effectiveness.	5
7	GCS	Led by example when it counted, finished with six inside 50s and a goal.	7
8	Bris	Stand-out as GWS best. They need another three or four of him.	7
9	Ess	Six clearances, five inside 50s, four tackles – performs well every week.	6
10	Geel	Team-high contested possessions (15), five tackles and a goal kept him busy.	8
12	Rich	Gave his all in the middle but effectiveness limited because of low efficiency.	5
13	Melb	Workrate first class but turned the ball over at times – seven tackles.	7
14	Syd	Another excellent game from the Giants’ best player this season.	8
15	Haw	One of the few who can say they played a consistent four quarters.	6
16	Adel	Yet another terrific performance from the co-captain.	8
17	Frem	Tough. Won the ball in contests all day.	7
18	Coll	Continued his incredibly consistent season with another strong display.	6
19	Port	Leads by example every week and it was no different against Port.	8
22	StK	Matched with Montagna in midfield. Solid.	5
23	NM	Yet another outstanding display by the co-captain.	7