'You thoroughly deserve to be back': Ward to make return from knee injury
Greater Western Sydney are set for a big boost with star midfielder Callan Ward to make his return from a knee reconstruction this week.
Ward has not played since his left knee gave way last April against Geelong but has been confirmed by coach Leon Cameron to line up for the Giants against North Melbourne on Sunday.
Callan Ward will make his return to the GWS senior side this weekend against North Melbourne.Credit:AAP
It will provide a big emotional boost for last year's grand finalists, who are expected to challenge again for this season's flag.
Ward and Cameron had been confident a fortnight ago the former co-captain would face the Kangaroos, and any doubt was extinguished after a strong performance in an intra-club game on the weekend.
"It's a wonderful achievement … your rehab had been faultless, mate. It’s been spot on," Cameron told his team at a meeting before training on Thursday morning.
"You thoroughly deserve to be back. What you showed us in last Saturday’s (practice) game was a person that’s on a mission and play with that anger, that vigour, that competitiveness that we’ve always seen.
"Well done and good luck."
The Giants are also likely to welcome back star playmaker Zac Williams, who missed the season-opener against Geelong after an interrupted pre-season due to an Achilles tendon issue.
Williams has played his best football as a running defender but starred in a midfield role in the club's thrilling preliminary final victory last year against Collingwood.
This will be one of the strongest teams the Giants have fielded in recent seasons having suffered a wretched run with injury since the 2016 season.
Of their best 22, only reigning best and fairest winner Tim Taranto is unavailable. The young midfielder is not expected to return for another four to six weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery in the preseason.
The Giants will name an extended squad on Thursday night, which will be pruned to 22 on Friday.