Breakout Hawthorn young gun Josh Ward has credited the mental side of footy in helping him begin to reach his potential after a “frustrating” first few seasons being in and out of the side.
And Ward’s advice to fellow Hawks youngsters like Cam Mackenzie and Henry Hustwaite currently biding their time in the VFL is to keep focusing on getting better as a player, no matter the level they’re playing.
Ward has cemented his spot in Hawthorn’s midfield in 2025 in a career-best fourth season. The 21-year old, who’s missed just one game, has averaged over 21 disposals, 5.1 score involvements, 3.7 tackles, 3.3 clearances and 3.6 inside 50s – which are all career-high marks as the Hawks rewarded him with a new four-year deal in June that ties him to free agency in 2029.
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It comes after Ward was made to earn his spot in Sam Mitchell’s side – playing 14, 16 and 12 games respectively over his first three seasons — despite the former Pick 7 coming in as a highly-rated junior in a stacked 2021 draft class featuring the likes of Jason Horne-Francis, Sam Darcy, Finn Callaghan, Nick Daicos and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
But even Ward admitted he’s not content with where he’s at yet as he looks to keep getting better and help improve the rising Hawks.
“Really enjoying my footy. I feel like there’s a really good team focus at the moment, where you just go out and play your role. That’s worked for me and I’ve enjoying it,” Ward told foxfooty.com.au after Hawthorn’s win over Carlton last Thursday night.
“It’s a steep learning curve. It takes time to ingrain those behaviours and habits you need. I feel like I’m getting there, but there’s still a long way to go.
“In the first few years I was in and out of the side. I still don’t think I’ve completely surpassed that, there’s a bit of that lingering feeling that you’re only a few bad games away from (being out of the side). But happy to keep playing my role and try and help the team as best as I can.”
Ward celebrates a goal against Carlton (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Highly regarded for his elite running ability and being a hard worker, Ward has grinded away and waited for his opportunities to come.
That included an injury to Cam Mackenzie on the eve of the 2024 finals opening the door for Ward to play a standout role in Hawthorn’s elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs, racking up 22 disposals and nine tackles as a pure midfielder.
Ward also wasn’t picked for Hawthorn’s season opener against Sydney this year, before replacing the injured James Worpel and staying in the side ever since in a story of resilience, persistence and application paying off.
Ward was challenged with what so many draftees face upon joining the AFL ranks – getting moved into different positions like on the wing and at half-forward – despite building his reputation as an inside midfielder throughout his juniors.
It meant Ward in those early days couldn’t necessarily play to his strengths in the coalface of the action — or his “own expectations” — and found himself constantly on the fringes.
“It was frustrating, mainly because of my own expectations. I thought I’d come in as a high draft pick and cement my spot straight away,” Ward said of his first few years in the AFL.
“That wasn’t quite the case. But I feel like I’ve learned so much and it’s made me a better player.
“I’ve really had to knuckle down and work on a lot of things that I think has helped me now. But I still feel like I’ve got a long way to go as a player.”
Ward in action against Port Adelaide (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Learning to overcome lapses in games has been a big part of the 60-gamer’s development.
“The mental side is a big one. Being able to move on from mistakes and quiet patches in games. As a junior, that obviously doesn’t happen as much,” Ward said.
“Coming into the AFL, you’ve got to be able to get past that 10 minutes where you haven’t touched the footy. Working with the club psychologist on that has been really big, just being able to keep in the game.
“And building up my body and my contest work has been a big one as well.”
Ward is one of several emerging Hawks stars in a budding crop that has a seriously bright future under Sam Mitchell.
The seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft also has a bright future off the field, having attained an ATAR score above 99 coming out of Melbourne Grammar. Ward is now studying a Laws and Politics, Philosophy and Economics double degree, as well as undertaking a clerkship at Davies Collision Cave law firm.
Balancing that with a professional footy career is a fair bit for a young man to juggle.
For now, Ward is “really happy” being locked in at Hawthorn, the club he’s supported his whole life and where his great grandfather used to play.
“It’s always been Hawthorn. I love the club,” he said of his four-year extension.
“It was just about working on a deal, I got my manager to do that and I could put it to the side and focus on playing footy.
“But really happy to have another four years here, because I love coming to this club.”
Ward said he doesn’t necessarily feel any different now that his future is secure, but conceded there was “a bit of stress lingering in the background” in the earlier parts of the season.
“I think I compartmentalise pretty well and made sure I was just focusing on my footy while that was taking away,” he said.
“There’s definitely a bit of relief and a bit of a weight off the shoulders.”
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The likes of Hustwaite and Mackenzie find themselves in a similar position to Ward in the early stages of his career, fighting to break into the side amid talk rival clubs could be monitoring them and other out-of-favour Hawks.
Ward reiterated “really good advice” from Finn Maginness earlier this season to stay focused on process, rather than outcome.
“It was to not focus too much on games and make sure you’re developing as a player, keep knuckling down and get better – whether you’re playing AFL or VFL,” he said.
“That’s really what matters and the rest is outcome and will come with time. I echo that advice.
“So many players have been in that position, I’ve been in that position. They’re both unbelievable players who I’m sure would get a game in a lot of teams. They’ve both got bright futures.”
Now virtually at full strength again after regaining several stars in recent weeks, Ward said Hawthorn “definitely have belief” ahead of a tough four-game stretch against Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne and Brisbane to finish its season ahead of a potential second-straight finals campaign.
“These next four weeks are a mini finals series for us. Every game is a must win, but I feel confident we can do it,” Ward added.
“It’s exciting to have so many senior players back, our medical team are doing a great job. So we have no excuses.”