Josh Kelly opens up on Callan Ward’s heartbreaking injury and the speech that inspired comeback win

Despite dealing with the fact his career may have just ended, Callan Ward did what he’s always done – put the team first. Josh Kelly shares just what happened at three-quarter time.

Giants players admit they “locked in” after Callan Ward’s inspirational three-quarter time speech, as the former captain put his likely career-ending injury aside to help lift his team one more time.

It’s the moment that could be the turning point for GWS’ season.

Staring down the barrel of what would have been a devastating loss for their top-eight aspirations, the Giants trailed by as many as 34 points during the third quarter against a Tigers side up for the fight.

Still shellshocked from the injury of their passionate leader early in the first term, Adam Kingsley’s side was second-best for the majority of the day.

It was dominated around the stoppages, and the Tigers took full advantage, piling on the points with an ascendancy that should have been greater if not for inaccuracy.

But as Ward came to grips with what is initially believed to be at least a season-ending ACL injury, if not a career-ending one, yet again, he put his team first to help bring them back from the brink.

Callan Ward's three-quarter time speech

Ward and Giants CEO David Matthews after the win. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

As they looked to mount one last challenge against Richmond, he addressed his teammates at the three-quarter time huddle and gave them the belief the game was far from over.

Their five unanswered goals in the final quarter would prove him right.

“It was Wardy getting us up, basically,” Josh Kelly told Code Sports.

“It was him delivering a speech, which he’s done many times before, but given the circumstances, it obviously carries a fair bit of weight.

“It probably sums Wardy up and his impact on the football club and everyone within it over 15 years, however long it’s been. He was going through a bit, I’m sure, in his mind, but for him to put that aside and bring the boys together, like he’s done his whole career, it really sums him up.

“He’s a special person, and there’s no doubt everyone was locked in when he was talking, and there was a lift on the flip side of that.

“I think Kingers has said straight into coaching for Wardy after that speech.”

Josh Kelly hugs Ward in the rooms. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos

And Ward is comforted by Lachie Whitfield on the bench after the injury. Picture: Fox Footy

Ward’s injury clearly deflated the Giants during the first half, but regardless of his standing in the club, there was a sense of frustration that they let the margin blow out as much as it did.

They went away from their “blueprint” of pressing hard and working even harder around the contest.

And although they came away with the win, the combination of Ward’s injury and the way they played will make any celebrations feel moot.

“It’s devastating, bittersweet doesn’t even do it justice in terms of the win it was tonight, with Wardy’s situation,” Kelly said.

“We reflected, and a few people spoke after the game about his impact on the football club and what he’s done for everyone in the room, but, for the history of the club, you know, he’s a pretty special person.

“When you’re in the game, you’re aware of something devastating like that, but you can’t afford to focus on it too much. We were clearly a bit shell-shocked on the other side of it.

“For us to turn around the way we did and play the way we did in that last quarter, obviously, there’s positives to take from it. But yeah, a tough game of football for sure.”

Ward is set to go for scans on Sunday to confirm the initial assessment of the ACL injury. Meanwhile, Kelly’s game was another positive for the Giants, finishing with 20 disposals in his first match back from a month out with a hip issue.

“It was probably just a bunch of cramping tonight,” Kelly said. “It’s a little bit sore now, but it feels better after the win.”

Originally published as Josh Kelly opens up on Callan Ward’s heartbreaking injury and the speech that inspired comeback win