GWS Giants great Callan Ward suffers brain snap in Dogs loss

Callan Ward is a great of the GWS Giants, but the veteran midfielder produced an all-time clanger against his old side.

Callan Ward is one of the best players in GWS history, having made the shift north from the Western Bulldogs way back in 2011.

But the 34-year-old appeared to suffer a brain explosion as those two sides faced off at a soggy ENGIE Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night.

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Doggies fans were gutted when the then-hugely talented youngster Ward opted to join the expansion Giants ahead of their debut season, following 60 games over four years at the Kennel.

He gave them a small gift back on Saturday, however, before the Dogs went on to secure the upset win, 8.22 (70) to 6.7 (43).

With just over 13 minutes remaining in the first half of a dour affair, a Finn Callaghan hand pass found Ward, who was matched up with Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli.

The former GWS skipper quickly rushed the ball onto his left boot and looked up to see if anyone was on the end of it as it soared inside 50m.

Callan Ward's clanger and Harry Himmelberg's response. Photos: Fox Sports

Someone was, Bulldog Rhylee West, who led opponent Harry Himmelberg out of the goalsquare and took a perfect chest mark in a play that would make a forwards coach proud.

Not Giants coach Adam Kingsley, however, who was seen muttering under his breath as West went back and kicked the gift goal.

Himmelberg was completely bemused, while Ward — who chalked up his 300th AFL game against the Bombers last week — looked for the nearest hole he could dive into.

“That went the wrong way from Callan Ward,” Jonathan Brown said in commentary. “Did he forget which way he was going?”

“He’s kicked it the way of his old team,” Anthony Hudson added. “Confusion reigns.

“After 300 games he’s forgotten which way he’s kicked it and as a coach, you can’t really account for that.”

“He thought he had the old jumper on,” Brown chipped in.

Callan Ward kicking in the right direction this time during the Giants’ loss. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“As Rhylee West is lining up, Callan Ward is just shaking his head,” Hudson continued.

“Sometimes you just can’t believe your good luck and it’s a Doggy roar.”

Jordan Lewis then called a replay of the incident.

“Handball back and (Ward) just turns around and kicks it in the wrong direction,” he said.

“He genuinely thought they were going that way.”

Hudson then made a fairly crude remark.

“Well he did get concussed in the 2016 preliminary final against the Dogs,” he said, before catching himself. “It’s no laughing matter concussion, I know, but oh boy.”

It wasn’t the only brain explosion on the night for the Giants.

Early in the first quarter, Callaghan entered the centre circle for a ball up as the two ruckmen were engaged, with the umpires paying the very rare free kick.

“Everyone that’s ever played football knows that’s a free kick,” Lewis stated.

Finn Callaghan has his own brain explosion.

But Ward’s moment was the focus of many, including the Giants’ social media account, renowned as probably the best in the business among AFL clubs.

Their admin couldn’t resist a couple of digs at their former club champion and current games record-holder.

“Callan Ward still thinks he’s playing for the Bulldogs,” was their first post on X.

They then followed up with a better line.

“We will be kicking to the right of your screen in the third quarter,” they wrote.

“Callan Ward has been informed.”

Fans took delight in the rare error from a champion of the game.

“You can take the boy out of the West but you can’t take the West out of the boy,” was one comment on X.

“Does the goal assist count on his stat sheet?” another asked.

“Not good, tell him he is wearing orange,” suggested a third.

It was part of a poor day for the Giants, the former flag favourites who have now lost three straight games to slip to sixth on the ladder ahead of next week’s clash with the Cats in Geelong.

Originally published as GWS Giants great Callan Ward suffers brain snap in Dogs loss