Sydney captain Callum Mills opens up on injury battle ahead of Port Adelaide clash

With just nine appearances since the start of last season, Sydney’s captain Callum Mills opens up about the toll of leadership from the sidelines as the Swans fight to salvage their season.

Swans captain Callum Mills admits it’s been a “tough” period dealing with injury while his team was struggling on the field, but hasn’t listened to calls criticising the decision to make him the stand-alone skipper.

Mills played just his second game of the season during Sydney’s win against Richmond. He missed the majority of the season through a plantar fascia tear suffered late in pre-season, before being hit with a one-week suspension for a high bump in his return match against Melbourne.

It follows a difficult 2024 where he only played seven matches following a serious shoulder injury. Overall, it means he has only made nine appearances since the start of last season.

But the 28-year-old is looking to make up for lost time and was one of the Swans’ best as they try to start their season turnaround against the Tigers.

Mills was one of the Swans’ highest-rated players against Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

“It is tough,” Mills said of his extended stint on the sidelines. “You want to be out with the boys and you want to be playing and impacting on game day, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that at the start of the year.

“Especially as captain, when we weren’t going as well as we wanted, I would have loved to be out there.

“Hopefully that’s behind me and I can start doing that in the back end of the year. I’ve had a good block back into playing and I feel really good, strong and fit. So I’m ready to put a bit of consistent footy together, which I’m excited for.”

Throughout that period, Mills has ensured complacency hasn’t snuck into any facet of his game. While that includes his rehabilitation and preparation work, arguably more important has been finding ways to make his leadership qualities are felt from the sidelines.

Especially during Dean Cox’s first season in charge, Mills has enjoyed taking on more off-field responsibility to help ease the load. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Whether it’s been sitting in the box or taking the team into meetings immediately post-game, those around the club have been impressed with how he has led the team in 2025. And despite constant noise criticising the decision to make him captain, not accounting for his unusually long injury stretch, Mills is just focused on helping the team play better.

“Playing is a big part of (captaincy),” Mills said. “But there are also other ways to get around that in order to have influence on the group.

“I’ve had a bit of experience, unfortunately, at it last year and the start of this year, so hopefully I can mesh the two together now, playing on the field.

“I can’t control (criticism). People have their job to write things, and that’s part of the industry.

“The whole medical department has been good in terms of getting me back playing and feeling good. But it doesn’t stop once you start playing, you’ve got to stay on top of things.”

Tom Papley and Errol Gulden are both firming to return against Port Adelaide after strong sessions during the bye week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Mills now wants to build his on-field role to help find some more positive form in the back-half of the season.

While a finals run appears unlikely, the Swans haven’t ruled out a September charge. However, they know they can’t be looking too far ahead and are focused on each match in front of them as they search for more consistency.

That task begins on Saturday against the Power at Adelaide Oval, a trip that brings back unhappy memories from their 112-point loss last season at the venue.

Dean Cox’s side is set to be boosted for the clash by not only the return of Joel Amartey from suspension, but potentially both Errol Gulden and Tom Papley.

Gulden and Papley both had light sessions on Tuesday morning; however, the Swans appear satisfied with their work over the bye weekend, with the decision now likely in the hands of the selection committee.

The Swans will be hoping last year’s devastating loss against the Power at Adelaide Oval is well and truly behind them. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“They’ve been great players for our club for a long period of time,” Mills said. “We’re really keen to get them back out there, and hopefully they can put a good block of training together and see how the coaches go with selection.

“I have great confidence in the group and what they can do. We’ve shown in patches, and I think we’re getting on top of the way we want to play, executing it for longer periods and being really disciplined with it.

“Once we get our system playing really well, then that helps Lizard (Nick Blakey) and Chad and so many boys that have a lot of strength. So that’s our priority, getting our system as solid as it can be to allow individuals to flourish.

“(Port Adelaide) are tough to play at home. I’m sure they might have the prelim in mind as well. Both teams, I’m sure, have got a bit of emotional ammo to work with and that’s the best part of footy, isn’t it? Leaning into those things and enjoying it.”

Originally published as Sydney captain Callum Mills opens up on injury battle ahead of Port Adelaide clash