Callan Ward’s renowned selflessness has again been highlighted as the GIANTS co-captain opened up about life on the sidelines following his season-ending knee injury in round four.

Speaking on The Footy Phil podcast, Ward explained how his last month has been as he recovers from surgery on a torn ACL in his left knee.

While he is focused on his own progression, the GIANTS leader is – as always – looking to help out his teammates in any way he can.

“I’m going to try and base my rehab around being around the group as much as possible, being involved in all the meetings and offering support where I can,” he said. 

“The number one thing is rehab but in the back of my mind is ‘where I can help the team?’.”

The 29-year-old has been forced to watch the GIANTS’ previous month from the comfort of a couch but is looking forward to taking on a match-day role in the coming weeks.

Everything's Bigger Up Close: Watch the GIANTS take on the Blues at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday.

“The last month since the surgery I’ve not travelled with the team to get the swelling down,” he said.

“I’ve got to work out what my game day role is and what my role during the week is going to be like.

“I’m pretty keen to probably be on the bench like Sam Docherty does at Carlton and I wouldn’t mind getting on the headphones up in the box and speaking to the players when they get off the field – giving direct feedback.

“During the week it is just more to support the boys and to help them play to the best of their ability.” 

Ward’s time at the GIANTS has been relatively injury-free with the hard-bodied midfielder having played 157 of the GIANTS’ 169 games.

The 2012 Kevin Sheedy Medallist says that while ‘it’s been strange’ to be in the position he’s in, he’s come to terms with the fact that he won’t return to playing in 2019.

At the moment he’s not even focused on returning.

“I feel like I could really push myself – not that I’ll play finals or anything – but the quicker I get back to main training the quicker I’ll be playing which obviously won’t be until next year,” he said.

“With my rehab I’ve tried to break it down into small steps and even though it’s a 10 to 11-month injury I’m taking it day by day.

“My knee is getting better every day and I’m not trying to look too far ahead and I’m just enjoying the improvements I’m making.”