Player Watch #14 Callum Mills (c)

[Kennedy Parker]

Callum Mills

Callum Mills

14

Callum Mills

Age

29

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

287.0

4star

D

18.4

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.4

4star

MG

293.4

4star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

MG

284.4

5star

is one of the best young players in the AFL. The QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate won the 2016 AFL Rising Star award and was selected in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22Under22 team in three of his four eligible years. Mills is a small defender with uncompromising courage who’s also capable of shifting through the midfield. The New South Welshman was elevated to Sydney’s leadership group during the 2018 pre-season at the age of just 21, and he’s now a member of a five-man leadership panel alongside co-captains Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker

26

Luke Parker

Age

33

Ht

183cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.8

5star

D

22.1

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

9.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.5

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

8.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

and Dane Rampe

24

Dane Rampe

Age

35

Ht

187cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

2.5

4star

MG

358.8

5star

D

14.1

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.1

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

284.5

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.4

4star

, as well as Lance Franklin.

Callum Mills

14

Callum Mills

Age

29

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

287.0

4star

D

18.4

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.4

4star

MG

293.4

4star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

MG

284.4

5star

DOB: 02 April 1997
DEBUT: 2016
DRAFT: #3, 2015 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: North Shore (NSW)

Callum Mills | AFL

Follow Callum Mills's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[kelpie_X]

Callum Mills and Sam Reid walk into a bar.

{insert injury related punch line here}

both out for six weeks. Bars are hard

 

[Bonz]

I hope you are right, all sounds good and well but the fact that your whole post lists every single ailment in the medical dictionary isn't something that fills me with much confidence. How can he be that unlucky especially given a lot were innocuous incidents. Then there's blokes like Jack Crisp who's played 700 games in a row and can't buy an injury in the heat of the battle.

You would be surprised, but the majority of professional sportsmen would actually have a similar injury column to Mills, just some of them would have had better luck with the timing (even then Mills still does average 17 games a season).

Take Heeney for example.

• Stress fracture ankle (left)
• Broken hand
• PCL knee
• Dislocated ankle (right)
• Ruptured ligament ankle (right)
• Broken thumb

And a large chunk of those down to luck (Ruptured ankle ligament, dislocated ankle, broken thumb and PCL were all impact injuries). But his managed to bounce back from them and be better than ever (and I would argue his injuries were more severe than Mills (rotator cuff year recovery aside).

Papley and Melican have both done more soft tissue injuries than Mills as well (neither have had his impact injuries though).

I just think a fair few of us here are overreacting at what is reading like a very minor hamstring strain, that was caused by a fall, not a natural movement.

If the injury was caused by natural movement and was one he had done before (a.k.a hamstring from moving into a sprint or leap) (which he hasn't done) then there would be far more reason to panic.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

I just wonder did he have a niggle before this strain was announced and was being managed.

Did he do a time trial ? Then there was that photo of him in a T-Shirt whilst others were busting a gut at training.

Maybe Callipygian could shed light on his training intensity compared to others.

 

[bedford]

I just wonder did he have a niggle before this strain was announced and was being managed.

Did he do a time trial ? Then there was that photo of him in a T-Shirt whilst others were busting a gut at training.

Maybe Callipygian could shed light on his training intensity compared to others.

Why don't some of you read an expert like Bonz and trust him , it happens everyone is different

 

[Bonz]

I just wonder did he have a niggle before this strain was announced and was being managed.

Did he do a time trial ? Then there was that photo of him in a T-Shirt whilst others were busting a gut at training.

Maybe Callipygian could shed light on his training intensity compared to others.

First trial was supposed to be for players in years 1-4.

I don't believe he did the second trial (but I could be wrong).

Likely would have been under a different training program.

 

[The Blue Max]

You would be surprised, but the majority of professional sportsmen would actually have a similar injury column to Mills, just some of them would have had better luck with the timing (even then Mills still does average 17 games a season).

Take Heeney for example.

• Stress fracture ankle (left)
• Broken hand
• PCL knee
• Dislocated ankle (right)
• Ruptured ligament ankle (right)
• Broken thumb

And a large chunk of those down to luck (Ruptured ankle ligament, dislocated ankle, broken thumb and PCL were all impact injuries). But his managed to bounce back from them and be better than ever (and I would argue his injuries were more severe than Mills (rotator cuff year recovery aside).

Papley and Melican have both done more soft tissue injuries than Mills as well (neither have had his impact injuries though).

I just think a fair few of us here are overreacting at what is reading like a very minor hamstring strain, that was caused by a fall, not a natural movement.

If the injury was caused by natural movement and was one he had done before (a.k.a hamstring from moving into a sprint or leap) (which he hasn't done) then there would be far more reason to panic.

Those structural injuries are very much a result of the way Heeney plays and where he plays.

Dislocated ankle……yeew!

 

[Bonz]

Those structural injuries are very much a result of the way he plays and where he plays.

Dislocated ankle……yeew!

His (Heeney) had minimal injuries for a few years now and has come back to this Pre-season in ripping knick.

No reason to say Mills cannot do the same.

 

[Callipygian]

Mills did the time trial that Lloyd won.

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

Im talking about Swans , no one else

Haha all good Bedders, just limits the amount of successful captains from premiership teams is all!

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

Not even on the same level.
Brett Kirk is a far, far greater player than Mills will ever be.

Kirk got every little ounce out of his career.
Mills the exact opposite, forfeiting many career games through off season stupidity.

Only time will tell Ted. I have high hopes for this year for us and Mills, reckon he will have a big year and he has achieved a fair bit in his career thus far already.

Granted a couple of down years due to injury, I don’t think this will define him though, think he is made of stern stuff and it’s his time to show it.

Were some good signs last year in what Mills can bring to the team with a calmness, organisation and structure.

Mills along with Heens, Paps and Curnow are all in their absolute prime age wise.

Some gun players who can all change a game in our favour along with the younger brigade & Grundy too, who isn’t slowing down just yet.

 

[Jewelsbon]

Only time will tell Ted. I have high hopes for this year for us and Mills, reckon he will have a big year and he has achieved a fair bit in his career thus far already.

Granted a couple of down years due to injury, I don’t think this will define him though, think he is made of stern stuff and it’s his time to show it.

Were some good signs last year in what Mills can bring to the team with a calmness, organisation and structure.

Mills along with Heens, Paps and Curnow are all in their absolute prime age wise.

Some gun players who can all change a game in our favour along with the younger brigade & Grundy too, who isn’t slowing down just yet.

What exactly has he achieved? He won the rising star and he's been an All Australian once. There are plenty of players that have achieved that and a whole lot more after playing for ten years.

I'm not knocking Mills and I'm not anti Mills and I hope upon hope that this IS a minor injury like it is being reported and he's back training after Christmas, but I must admit to being sceptical. Time will tell, and I pray I'm wrong.

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

What exactly has he achieved? He won the rising star and he's been an All Australian once. There are plenty of players that have achieved that and a whole lot more after playing for ten years.

I'm not knocking Mills and I'm not anti Mills and I hope upon hope that this IS a minor injury like it is being reported and he's back training after Christmas, but I must admit to being sceptical. Time will tell, and I pray I'm wrong.

Depends on what your definition of achievement I guess Jewels.

Measured only in flags, then no.

Playing at an elite level early in career, highlighted by multiple under 22 team of the year plus a Rising Star winner, not many players achieve this, I think that’s fair to acknowledge?

Playing at a level beyond his years in defence, playing in a successful team, best 22, lock in the team, help marshalling team, courageous in flying for marks, in taking pressure and applying pressure and clean disposals.

Team has played finals in what, 7 out of his 10 seasons, again most would say this is an achievement. Zach Merrett says hi btw!

Finally gets played as a mid, best position, wins an AA as a midfielder, is made co-captain 2022. Was widely commented on as the best 2-way midfielder in the comp.

Captaincy in itself is an achievement, he is held in high regard by his peers, teammates, coaches and club.

Outside looking in, captains well for 2yrs as a co-captain learning directly from a few of our greats.

Maintains captaincy until taking sole role last two years, which I think everyone agrees, has been severely impacted by injury and we haven’t seen his best.

Don’t let the last 2 injury riddled years take away from what Cal Mills has achieved over the previous 8 seasons, there is a reason the club continues to back him in as skipper.

You are not alone Jewels, I reckon a decent amount of supporters have struggled to forgive that wrestle with Konstanty that impacted Mills significantly. Once you do, you realise he just needs our support and in return, he needs to play majority of games in 2026 to have a big year for us all!

 

[BasicSwan]

Well, clearly the players and coaches are backing Mills in. Hopefully with Heneey coming in as Vice-Captain will help Millsy as well.

At the moment, whilst I genuinely hope he gets back into the midfield, just happy for him to start the season injury-free. His quality off half-back, just please don't back him defend the against the fast small forwards lol.

 

[The King!]

I like Mills as a leader , I mean another year of injuries would be a stretch, but I think he is a classy player. He was on the verge of elite with the All Australian year and a decent 2023 follow up imo, hopefully he can get back there.

Mills and Heeney leading the club is exactly what you would have wanted a decade ago , I'd love to see them smashing it together in the midfield, we never got that, maybe we still won't .

That play against Brisbane last year Mills to Heeeney to Warner (I think ) and a goal from the kick in , more of that please.

Plus he took a pen and paper to the team meeting in the video so he must be organised

 

[BasicSwan]

I like Mills as a leader , I mean another year of injuries would be a stretch, but I think he is a classy player. He was on the verge of elite with the All Australian year and a decent 2023 follow up imo, hopefully he can get back there.

Mills and Heeney leading the club is exactly what you would have wanted a decade ago , I'd love to see them smashing it together in the midfield, we never got that, maybe we still won't .

That play against Brisbane last year Mills to Heeeney to Warner (I think ) and a goal from the kick in , more of that please.

Plus he took a pen and paper to the team meeting in the video so he must be organised

Completely agree! Like, hopefully it's not just me that sees it but in general play, you can always see Mills from half back trying to spot Heeney up for a mark. There is definitely genuine trust between the two of them to make plays like those the norm.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Well, clearly the players and coaches are backing Mills in. Hopefully with Heneey coming in as Vice-Captain will help Millsy as well.

At the moment, whilst I genuinely hope he gets back into the midfield, just happy for him to start the season injury-free. His quality off half-back, just please don't back him defend the against the fast small forwards lol.

He will be on Hayward in R0!

 

[Kiama Chris]

He will be on Hayward in R0!

Hopefully the mongrel comes out to play.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Millsy chat with AFL.com.au

Swans captain eager for Allies to get Origin chance

Swans skipper Callum Mills is desperate to get his chance in AAMI AFL Origin

www.afl.com.au

 

[Wheresbuddy]

In the most recent More than Footy podcast, Paps was asked about the Allies as a concept. His opinion was it works in juniors as a pathway to get up and coming youngsters involved in the national carnival but he felt it wouldn't work in seniors. I tend to agree as the attraction of origin is playing for your state. For now, an annual NSW v Qld would be excellent and should have enough buy in that it would be a real contest.

 

[Kiama Chris]

In the most recent More than Footy podcast, Paps was asked about the Allies as a concept. His opinion was it works in juniors as a pathway to get up and coming youngsters involved in the national carnival but he felt it wouldn't work in seniors. I tend to agree as the attraction of origin is playing for your state. For now, an annual NSW v Qld would be excellent and should have enough buy in that it would be a real contest.

You could probably run a round robin between NSW, Qld and EVENTUALLY Tasmania. Separate to a round robin between Vic, SA and WA. Get some good games out of that.
Run both on the June long weekend, byes afterwards.
The issue is whether the Commission (owned by the clubs) would allow it.

 

[The King!]

You could probably run a round robin between NSW, Qld and EVENTUALLY Tasmania. Separate to a round robin between Vic, SA and WA. Get some good games out of that.
Run both on the June long weekend, byes afterwards.
The issue is whether the Commission (owned by the clubs) would allow it.

Better idea imo is don't bother at all.

 

[bedford]

Better idea imo is don't bother at all.

The Tassie bias comes out , but you did beat the BIG V 3rds

 

[The King!]

The Tassie bias comes out , but you did beat the BIG V 3rds

That was a great day and the vic side was decent, though Horse was playing- cheating Vics always picking ring ins.

It's just state of origin was great when it mattered

 

[bedford]

That was a great day and the vic side was decent, though Horse was playing- cheating Vics always picking ring ins.

It's just state of origin was great when it mattered

I was hoping you won

 

[BasicSwan]

Solid game last night, a bit strange he got stuck on the bench for so long in that first quarter.

There were some brilliant handballs last night, particularly that underground tunnel ball to Roberts who finished it with a 50m + bomb.