GWS veteran Callan Ward is making ready to play as a ahead in 2023 because the Giants look to inject new blood into their midfield combine.
The 32-year-old says he has skilled “full-time” with the ahead group over the pre-season, admitting he nonetheless has so much to study as he embarks on a late-career function change additionally being tried by Trent Cotchin at Richmond.
Ward, who kicked the Giants’ first AFL aim 11 years in the past, roving the entrance of a pack and impressively ending on his non-preferred left boot, stated there was loads of room for enchancment in his ahead craft.
“It’s not something I’ve ever done, train in the forward line … obviously when you play in the midfield you have some stints in the forward line, but I’ve never trained there with the line group,” Ward stated.
“It’s been a good change-up and something I’m really enjoying, and I’m learning so much at the same time, which is something that is really good to be doing in your 16th year.
“I haven’t stepped in the midfield yet, so it’s been good just to really try to nail down a role in the forward line.”
The former skipper stated Giants captain Toby Greene had been a key affect on the monitor.
“Toby did that in his first year – played in the midfield for his whole first season and was dominating, then shifted forward,” he stated.
“He’s got plenty of tricks, and I don’t quite have that athleticism or ability but trying to learn from the different patterns he runs and just the forward craft that he’s taught himself over the last 10 years.”
Ward, who performed each recreation final 12 months, averaging 22 disposals and three clearances, stated his transfer out of the center would give one other participant a giant alternative to spend time on the ball.
Along with leaders Tom Green, Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio, Harry Perryman has been coaching as a midfielder, whereas a youthful participant can be prone to function on the within.
“There’s about 15 of them who are trying to play there … I think Finn Callaghan, Ryan Angwin are the two young ones that stand out to me who are having really good pre-seasons,” Ward stated.
“Harry Rowston has come in as well – he’s a first-year player who is doing some really good things.
“It’s really hard to know what the team is going to look like at the moment because these young guys are pushing the senior players really hard for spots.”
The Giants will play Gold Coast at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday of their sole pre-season follow recreation after holding an intraclub recreation in Canberra final week.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
