CALLAN Ward's manager says his young charge took his time making the "extremely hard decision" to accept an offer from Greater Western Sydney, and his choice has not been solely based on money.

The Bulldogs announced on Monday that the 21-year-old had informed them he would leave Whitten Oval in favour of the Giants after four seasons in the red, white and blue.

His manager Paul Connors said Ward had waited until last week to make up his mind, and had not agreed to anything in the "window" the Giants had at the end of last season to approach AFL players. 

"It was really difficult because he's a local boy, he's grown up in the area, and he played his football for the Western Jets," he told Melbourne radio station SEN on Monday afternoon.

"It was a really difficult decision and I think that's why he probably took his time in signing."

Connors also said Ward's final decision had not been focused solely on remuneration, despite the reported amount of $4.5 million over five years being offered by the Giants for the tough midfielder's services.

"Players are very, very loyal, and it was an extremely difficult decision to make and it wasn't just about money," he said.

"There's a number of factors that come into it and that's for Callan to work through. He's a big boy now, he's 21 and he can make his decisions.

"I still think he looks at their list, which he's been shown, and you guys don't know the names of Dylan Shiel or [Adam] Treloar, who would probably go one and two in the draft this year, and they're terrific players.

"He looks and thinks, plus picks one, two, three, five, seven, nine … I think he can also see a bright future. It might be some hard yards for the first two years but I'm pretty confident also that just as an observer, GWS is going to be a force in the AFL.

"I think it might take a bit longer for GWS [than Gold Coast] but I think they're going to be a power in the AFL in years to come."

Connors said Ward had "kept his cards close to his chest" and not let the constant speculation surrounding his future hamper his form in recent weeks.

He also said the Bulldogs - who have now lost two players to the expansion clubs with Jarrod Harbrow defecting for Gold Coast 12 months ago - had handled the news Ward was leaving well.

"They were very good, they handled it very professionally and they certainly gave it their best shot," he said.

"They've been talking and putting their best foot forward, and I've got nothing but praise for [football manager] James Fantasia and [CEO] Simon Garlick and how they've gone about it.

"Maybe for the first time in a few years they don't have a coach and the Brad Johnsons of the world have left, so they're probably going through a new phase.

"But they've still got some super players in [Matthew] Boyd, [Daniel] Cross, [Daniel] Giansiracusa who ooze leadership, and I think they're going to be a force for a few years to come."

Ward will speak for the first time as a Giant on Wednesday at a press conference at the new club.

Jennifer Witham covers Western Bulldogs news for the AFL website. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.