Why Sydney Swans were right to rule Callum Mills out of 2024 AFL Grand Final

Sydney took an underdone Sam Reid into the 2022 decider and it cost the Swans — dearly. Our experts give their verdicts on the changes each Grand Final side should make and if leaving Callum Mills out was the right call.

The Sydney Swans faced one of the biggest grand final selection dilemmas in recent memory – whether to play Callum Mills.

On Wednesday afternoon the Swans made their call, informing Mills they wouldn’t be risking him after the skipper injured his hamstring ahead of the preliminary final against Port Adelaide.

They say if it was the right call and what other changes they would make.

LACHLAN MCKIRDY

SYDNEY

Ins: Nil

Outs: Nil

BRISBANE LIONS

Ins: Darcy Fort

Outs: Oscar McInerney

VERDICT: It’s an incredibly tough call, but after the pain of 2022, and how well the Swans’ defence handled Port Adelaide, I also would not be rushing captain Callum Mills back into the side. The Swans haven’t taken risks all year as they look to win their first flag since 2012, and I don’t see them starting now.

Should the Swans risk Callum Mills in the grand final? Photo by Phil Hillyard.

Robbie Fox will likely remain as the sub and Logan McDonald should be right to go. There’s no need to change a winning formula, especially when that victory came in a preliminary final. It’s heartache for Oscar McInerney but after his double shoulder injuries in the preliminary final, Chris Fagan looks set to make at least one change to take on the Swans. Darcy Fort is the straight ruck replacement, and while there might’ve been temptation to get fancy at the selection table, the Lions simply have to give their midfield a chance to compete and Fort is the best option. He will have to be physical against Brodie Grundy, and while it’s his first game since round seven, he’ll be up for the challenge.

CALLUM DICK

SYDNEY

IN: Nil

OUT: Nil

BRISBANE

IN: Darcy Fort

OUT: Oscar McInerney

VERDICT: John Longmire won’t roll the dice with Callum Mills as he did Sam Reid in 2022. On that day it backfired. If Mills was truly fit he plays, if not he doesn’t. What of Taylor Adams? Overlooked for the finals so far, his big body could be beneficial in the midfield battle that probably decides the outcome. But last week’s sub, Robbie Fox, can be deployed all over the ground and looms as the safer selection. The Lions have chosen Fort to replace McInerney. It is unlikely Fagan tinkers with the side beyond that.

MATTHEW FORREST

SYDNEY

IN: Callum Mills

OUT: Robbie Fox

BRISBANE

IN: Henry Smith

OUT: Oscar McInerney

VERDICT: Darcy Fort has already been named as the replacement for the injured Oscar McInerney, but it is a mistake to bring in the veteran replacement. The Lions handed a debut to Smith late in the home-and-away season and he was involved in three wins from four matches before he made way. Fort will play more ruck than forward but Smith would come in and push Joe Daniher into the main ruck role; a position change that had clear positive effects in the preliminary final win.

Henry Smith battles with Werribee’s Sam Conway in the VFL preliminary final. Picture: Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Taylor Adams misses out again, his lack of explosive tendencies doesn’t fit in with the Swans fast-moving midfield. I would start Mills as the substitute though, rather than tinker with the starting 22 too much. Imagine the energy and lift a fresh skipper in Mills would provide in a close contest to start the fourth quarter.

JOSH BARNES

SYDNEY

In: Nil

Out: Nil

BRISBANE LIONS

IN: Darcy Fort

OUT: Oscar McInerney

The Lions have flagged Darcy Fort as the replacement for Oscar McInerney. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

VERDICT: Sorry Callum Mills, but if I was John Longmire I also would not want to take the risk on the captain. I it was grand final eve and I had picked the skipper, I would be having nightmares about Sam Reid in 2022 all over again. The risk is just too great, even though he is the skipper. Happy to keep Robbie Fox as the sub given his adaptability. And I am keeping it simple in Chris Fagan’s shoes too. Darcy Fort is as capable as any back-up ruck and is clearly next man in line given he is a weekly emergency. If things go awry and Brodie Grundy starts taking charge, Fagan can push Joe Daniher up but I would stick with my usual system to start.

ELIZA REILLY

SYDNEY

IN: Nil

OUT: Nil

BRISBANE

IN: Darcy Fort

OUT: Oscar McInerney

VERDICT: Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney is set to be the heartbreak story of this year’s grand final after dislocating his shoulder twice against Geelong. Henry Smith (four games) has played more games this year than Darcy Fort (two) but the former will get vulnerable against Brodie Grundy. Fort is a competitor and the like-for-like replacement, allowing the Lions to keep Joe Daniher up forward after he almost won the game for Brisbane last year.

Selecting Darcy Fort would allow the Lions to keep Joe Daniher forward for more of the game. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

As for Sydney, I’m tipping Logan McDonald to be fit to play after an ankle issue in the prelim. Undoubtedly the biggest selection call will be Callum Mills. If he wasn’t captain of the club, I don’t think it would be so contentious. I’d also personally leave him out even if he’s passed fit. He’s barely played this season and the Swans won 13 of 16 before he returned.

MATT TURNER

SYDNEY

IN: Nil

OUT: Nil

BRISBANE

IN: Darcy Fort

OUT: Oscar McInerney

VERDICT: The Lions have already confirmed Fort’s selection and the 31-year-old makes sense as an experienced back-up. It looms as the only change Brisbane will make. Sydney has put captain Callum Mills’s hamstring to the test, but, as important as he is, the Swans have the quality to win without him and do not need to risk him. They are best to avoid another Sam Reid from 2022 scenario if they can.

Originally published as Why Sydney Swans were right to rule Callum Mills out of 2024 AFL Grand Final