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

Early life

Ward began his Australian rules football career at the Fitzroy Junior Football Club in the Yarra Junior Football League, back in 2012. Ward then was selected to play for the Northern Knights in the 2021 NAB League Boys season. Ward played well during his time with the Knights, averaging 30.2 disposals and being named the captain in the NAB League Boys Team of the Year. 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. Ward also attended Melbourne Grammar School with future teammate Ned Long. 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. The majority of the media predicted Ward to get selected by Hawthorn in the draft, and this ended up eventuating, with Ward being selected with the Hawks first pick, and 7th overall, in the 2021 AFL draft.

AFL career

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

Statistics

Updated to the end of 2024.

Honours and achievements

Hawthorn

• McClelland Trophy: 2024

Individual

• AFL Rising Star nominee: 2022

Personal life

Ward is the great grandson of former Hawthorn player Alex Lee.

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

References

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

External links

• Josh Ward's profile on the official website of the Hawthorn Football Club
• Josh Ward's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Josh Ward at AustralianFootball.com

• 2003 births
• Living people
• Hawthorn Football Club players
• Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)
• People educated at Melbourne Grammar School
• Northern Knights players
• 21st-century Australian sportsmen