Josh Ward Biography

If everything goes to plan in the AFL, Josh Ward won't finish his law degree for 15 years. That's how long it will take the new Hawk to complete the Laws and Politics, Philosophy and Economics double degree at Monash University, given the rate he is ticking off units right now.

"It's a five-year degree full-time and it's four units per semester. At the moment I'm doing one unit. If I keep doing one it will be 20 years, but I think I'll eventually get up to doing two a semester and maybe one over summer, too. Hopefully around 10 to 15 years. Saying it now, that's a lot," Ward explained.

"I'm doing one unit this semester. I went back last week. It is good to get into a different environment away from footy. It's good to be another student for a day. I'm enjoying that. It will take me a while to finish it, but I'm glad to be doing something outside of footy."

Josh Ward is the Rising Star nominee for round 18 of 2022 after amassing a career-high 34 disposals, including six clearances and eight score involvements, in the Hawks' 25-point victory against West Coast.

Josh Ward makes his AFL debut for Hawthorn at the MCG with 13 disposals (5 kicks and 8 handballs), 3 marks and a tackle in a 20-point win over North Melbourne.

Hawthorn select Josh Ward with pick No.7 in the 2021 National Draft.

Draft Report: A damaging onballer, Ward has climbed into top-10 conversations after a stunning year at all levels. Likened to former Brisbane midfielder Luke Power, he is a prolific ball winner through the midfield and can also float forward and impact on the scoreboard. Ward makes quick decisions in tight quarters and more often than not they are the right decisions. The Melbourne Grammar student has been a middle-distance runner in school athletics and his defensive running this year has been another strong feature of his game. Ward went head-to-head with potential No.1 draft pick Nick Daicos in Round 9 of the NAB League and received best-on-ground honours as he racked up 34 disposals and six clearances in a standout game. He also shone brightly in a Vic Metro trial match in June, before recording 29 disposals, eight marks, eight clearances and two goals for Vic Metro in its Challenge Match against Vic Country in July. That performance at Windy Hill certainly got the attention of AFL club recruiters, who have been moving the Knights' star right up their draft boards.