In a stirring display of resilience, Greater Western Sydney overcame a 28-point deficit at three-quarter time to snatch a three-point victory over Richmond at Engie Stadium on Saturday. The Giants’ remarkable comeback, winning 12.8 (80) to 10.17 (77), was inspired by an emotional team talk from injured veteran Callan Ward, whose career now hangs in the balance after suffering what appears to be a serious knee injury.
Ward, one of the Giants’ inaugural co-captains, crumpled to the ground in the opening term when his right knee buckled during a tackle attempt. The emotional impact was immediate as he was helped from the field, visibly distressed and later breaking down in tears on the sidelines.
“It doesn’t look great,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley admitted after the match. “That’s just a reflection of who he is. He puts the team ahead of himself and he’s done that for 17 years.”
The 34-year-old midfielder, who signed a one-year deal to play on in 2025 while his family relocated to Melbourne, showed tremendous character by addressing his teammates at the final break despite his personal anguish. Whatever words Ward shared proved powerful enough to spark a remarkable turnaround.
“He saw the need to try and get his troops moving and stepped in. I’m not sure exactly what he said to them, but whatever he said, it worked,” Kingsley added.
The Tigers had dominated much of the contest, building a lead that stretched to 34 points midway through the third quarter. Richmond controlled the center clearances 16-5 and won the contested possession count 149-120, leading Kingsley to concede, “We didn’t deserve to win that game.”
Yet the Giants found something special in the final term, kicking the only five goals of the quarter. Callum Brown emerged as the hero, booting two crucial majors including the match-winner—a clever snap at the 25-minute mark that sealed the comeback.
For Richmond, the narrow defeat marks their third consecutive loss where one poor quarter proved costly. Their wayward kicking (10.17) when on top during the second and third terms ultimately came back to haunt them.
Tigers coach Adem Yze expressed mixed emotions: “That is deflating. I feel we’ve almost got a split personality in the rooms at the moment. I’m so proud of our effort, so proud of our start, and to be fair, so proud of every quarter really. The last quarter got away from us a little bit, but it wasn’t method, it wasn’t system, it was just slight role execution.”
The game featured a bright spot for Richmond with the return of triple-premiership winner Dion Prestia, playing his first match of 2025 after being sidelined with an Achilles injury. The 32-year-old midfielder showed little rust, collecting 31 disposals and seven clearances while also kicking a goal.
Former Giants Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto were also influential for Richmond, continuing their strong form against their old club. The Tigers’ forward line saw multiple contributors with Taranto, Rhyan Green, and Tom Lynch each kicking two goals.
For GWS, Brown’s three goals led their scoring, with Josh Riccardi and Aaron Cadman adding two apiece. The victory pushes the Giants into top-eight contention, a remarkable achievement considering the emotional toll of losing Ward early in the contest.
The win came despite Richmond’s domination in key statistical areas, highlighting the Giants’ ability to capitalize on their opportunities when it mattered most. Their five-goal final term was a testament to their mental strength and finishing skills.
The result continues a concerning pattern for Richmond, who have now lost three consecutive close games. For a young team in rebuilding mode, these narrow defeats provide both valuable learning experiences and frustration in equal measure.
The Giants now face an anxious wait for further assessment on Ward’s knee, with fears his decorated 17-year career may have come to a premature end. Having moved away from his family to chase an elusive premiership in 2025, the potential career-ending injury adds a layer of poignancy to an already emotional story.
Both teams will now prepare for their Round 13 fixtures next weekend, with the Giants looking to build momentum from this emotional victory while Richmond attempts to address their final-quarter fadeouts that have cost them valuable points in recent weeks. For Ward, the focus shifts to medical evaluations that will determine whether his distinguished career can continue beyond this devastating setback.
