Josh Ward Explained

Josh Ward
Birth Date:15 August 2003
Birth Place:Victoria, Australia
Originalteam:Northern Knights (NAB League)/Melbourne Grammar (APS)/Fitzroy (YJFL)
Draftpick:No. 7, 2021 AFL draft,
Debutdate:20 March 2022
Debutstadium:MCG
Height:183 cm
Weight:80 kg
Position:Midfielder
Guernsey:25
Years1:2022–
Games Goals1:40 (5)
Statsend:round 21, 2024

Josh Ward (born 15 August 2003) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by Hawthorn with the 7th draft pick in the 2021 AFL draft.[1] [2]

Early life

Ward began his Australian rules football career at the Fitzroy Junior Football Club in the Yarra Junior Football League, back in 2012.[3] Ward then was selected to play for the Northern Knights in the 2021 NAB League Boys season.[4] Ward played well during his time with the Knights, averaging 30.2 disposals[5] and being named the captain in the NAB League Boys Team of the Year.[6] [7] Ward was also selected as a representative for the Vic Metro squad to play in a match against Vic Country, where he was selected captain of the team and was one of the best on ground, collecting 29 disposals, two goals and eight clearances.[8] [9] Ward also attended Melbourne Grammar School with future teammate Ned Long.[10] [9] Ward scored well in the draft combine, running a time of 5:57 in the 2km time trial, the second best time in the country.[11] The majority of the media predicted Ward to get selected by Hawthorn in the draft,[12] [13] [14] and this ended up eventuating, with Ward being selected with the Hawks first pick, and 7th overall, in the 2021 AFL draft.[1] [2]

AFL career

Ward impressed early in his first pre-season with the Hawks, being named likely by the media to debut in round one.[15] Coach Sam Mitchell expressed that Ward had been training at a 'high standard'.[16] Ward debuted for the Hawks in their game against opening round of the 2022 AFL season,[17] collecting 13 disposals and three marks.[18] Despite an ankle injury concern after the game, Ward was available to play the next round.[19] [20] Ward received a Rising Star nomination for his performance against West Coast during round 18.[21]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 21, 2024.[22] |-| 2022 || || 25| 14 || 2 || 2 || 158 || 109 || 267 || 53 || 41 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 11.3 || 7.8 || 19.1 || 3.8 || 2.9 || 0|-| 2023 || || 25| 16 || 2 || 3 || 181 || 151 || 332 || 76 || 31 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 11.3 || 9.4 || 20.8 || 4.8 || 1.9 || 0|-| 2024 || || 25| 10 || 1 || 3 || 77 || 66 || 143 || 42 || 18 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 7.7 || 6.6 || 14.3 || 4.2 || 1.8 |||- class="sortbottom"! colspan=3| Career! 40 !! 5 !! 8 !! 416 !! 326 !! 742 !! 171 !! 90 !! 0.1 !! 0.2 !! 10.4 !! 8.2 !! 18.6 !! 4.3 !! 2.3 !! 0|}

Honours and achievements

Individual

Personal life

Ward is the great grandson of former Hawthorn player Alex Lee.[23] [24]

During school he also excelled academically as well as in sport achieving an ATAR above 99. He is currently studying at Monash University.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ward: "It definitely means that little bit more to me". hawthornfc.com.au. 22 April 2022. 25 November 2021.
  2. Web site: The draft by the numbers: Every player and their junior club. 29 November 2021. 22 April 2022. AFL Media.
  3. Web site: AFL Draft selects 9 of the YJFL’s best. Yarra Junior Football League. 22 April 2022. 30 November 2021.
  4. Web site: The top Vic Metro prospects for the 2021 AFL Draft. Keating. Mitch. zerohanger.com. 22 April 2022. 3 November 2021.
  5. Web site: Josh Ward. 22 April 2022. rookieme.com.
  6. Web site: It's a tie: Morrish Medal drama as future stars light up NAB League awards. AFL Media. 22 April 2022. 30 September 2021. Rhodes. Brendan.
  7. Web site: Where they came from - 2021 NAB AFL Draft (SMALL FWDS/DEFS/MIDS). AFL Victoria. 22 April 2022. 13 November 2021. Sheehan. Kevin.
  8. Web site: Scouting Notes - 2021 U19 National Championships: Vic Country vs. Vic Metro. 11 July 2021. 22 April 2022. rookieme.com.
  9. Web site: Hard-running Ward primed for the big stage. 22 April 2022. theroar.com.au. 6 October 2021. Alexander. Riley.
  10. Web site: Melbourne Grammar School 2021 VCE results. Melbourne Grammar School. 22 April 2022. 16 December 2021.
  11. Web site: Ward is the word as Hawks land their man. 24 November 2021. 22 April 2022. hawthornfc.com.au.
  12. Web site: Cal Twomey's 2021 Phantom Draft: Top 30, late picks, club whispers. Twomey. Callum. 22 April 2022. 22 November 2021. AFL Media.
  13. Web site: Every club, every pick: ESPN's full AFL phantom draft. 22 April 2022. 23 November 2021. Doerre. Chris. ESPN.
  14. Web site: AFL phantom draft: Inside word on the first round and who will be taken in the top 20. Fox Sports. 22 April 2022. Waterworth. Ben. 24 November 2021.
  15. Web site: Rookie Hawks Josh Ward, Connor MacDonald and Ned Long push for round 1 selection. McGowan. Marc. The Australian. 20 April 2022.
  16. Web site: Two Hawthorn draftees in mix for early season debuts. Twomey. Callum. 22 April 2022. 4 March 2022. AFL Media.
  17. Web site: Hawks draftee duo to debut. 17 March 2022. 20 April 2022. hawthornfc.com.au.
  18. Web site: Round 1 • Hawthorn v North Melbourne - Player Stats. 22 April 2022. afl.com.au.
  19. Web site: New-look Hawks wind back the clock to start Mitchell era in style. Masenhelder. Trent. AFL Media. 20 March 2022. 20 April 2022.
  20. Web site: Exciting Hawk a R2 chance after quicker than expected recovery. Gabelich. Josh. 20 April 2022. 22 March 2022. AFL Media.
  21. News: Hawks dynamo earns Rising Star nomination. 22 August 2022. afl.com.au. en.
  22. Web site: Josh Ward. afltables.com. 22 April 2022.
  23. Web site: Hard-working Ward wills his way into the draft. Leonard. Owen. 22 April 2022. The Age. 20 November 2021.
  24. Web site: Ward to continue family tradition dating back to the '20s. Allsop. Richard. 22 April 2022. 25 November 2021. hawthornfc.com.au.
  25. Web site: Taking flight: The high-achieving Hawk who is starting to shine . 2022-11-11 . afl.com.au . en.