Callum Mills happy to play anywhere for Sydney Swans

Sydney’s Mr Versatile Callum Mills says he’s happy to play in defence, the midfield or forward if it helps the team. So what are John Longmire’s Round 1 plans for the Swans young gun?

Sydney Swans players Kieren Jack and Callum Mills at a Swansfit coaching clinic at Chifley Public School in Malabar. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney is ninth favourites for the flag with the TAB ($23), but a refreshed and excited Callum Mills believes there is every reason for optimism.

The 21-year-old missed much of last season with a broken foot but is itching to get started with a move into the midfield firmly on the cards for the club’s Mr Versatile.

“I don’t think (the outside forecasts) are really motivation for anyone,” Mills said. “We know what we can produce and it’s up to us to bring it, especially on Saturday.”

The Bulldogs will be wearing a special Thor guernsey at Marvel Stadium on Saturday but Mills insists four points are his only concern.

“It’s their choice” and a smile was his answer on the hosts’ attire, with football front and centre for Mills.

And with a pre-season spent clocking up the midfield minutes, Mills is looking forward to being in the thick of it.

“I’m getting used to it (midfield role),” he said. “I did a far bit over pre-season but it’s always different when games come around. I’m not sure where I’ll play this week.

“It’s awesome to learn off people like Parks (Luke Parker) and Joey (Josh Kennedy) and Isaac (Heeney), they were really helpful.

“We have Dean Cox and Brett Kirk our midfield coaches, two very handy players in their team. To learn off everyone at the club has been awesome.

“As I said to Horse (coach John Longmire) the other day, I don’t mind where I play as long as I’m influential for the team and (whatever) gets the best result for the team. To me it doesn’t matter if it’s in the midfield, back or forwards.

“Versatility is pretty handy for when you come up to different match-up and things like that depending on who you play.”

Sydney Swans players Kieren Jack and Callum Mills at a Swansfit coaching clinic at Chifley Public School in Malabar. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Round 1 won’t decide the season but Mills knows from past experience that it’s much better to taste victory as quickly as possible.

“It’s really important (a good start),” he said. “A couple of years ago we went zero and six, which isn’t nice. It’s part of our history, you can’t change it. It is what it is. The best thing about it is we’ve hopefully learnt from it and we’ve taken experiences. It’s made us who we are today. Hopefully we won’t have to go through that again and get a win on the weekend.

“That’s the main thing, that we play well and play the Swans brand, which is the most important thing to us.

“They’re (Bulldogs) really tough around the ball and they really hunt in numbers so we’ve got to do our best to overcome that.”

While the midfielders will be looking to increase the goal tally this season, Mills is looking forward to seeing both Lance Franklin and Dan Menzel out on the field – whenever that may be.

“Variety of options is important to us but it’s also nice when Bud kicks eight goals so we won’t be complaining if that happens every week,” he joked.” But it is important to get midfielders hitting the scoreboard and our other forwards, which we have been doing over pre-season.”

Callum Mills is a $428,900 defender in SuperCoach. Start picking your squad now!