AFL Finals: Hamstring injury rules Swans gun out of home prelim final

A hamstring injury has ruled out one of Sydney’s most important players for their cutthroat preliminary final against either Port Adelaide or the Hawks in a weeks time.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Callum Mills of the Swans celebrates during the 2024 AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS GIANTS at The Sydney Cricket Ground on September 07, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Sydney Swans captain Callum Mills has been ruled out of his side’s preliminary final next Friday night after suffering a hamstring injury at training on Tuesday.

It was the Swans’ first session after their win against the Giants in the qualifying final, with the focus on light training.

John Longmire spoke after the match saying that he wanted to ensure his players had a “hard block” of training this week. However, Mills suffered the injury innocuously at their active recovery session.

The Swans will be without their skipper for the prelim final. Picture: Getty Images

It’s not the first time Longmire will be without his captain this year. Mills has had an injury-interrupted season with the 27-year-old only playing his first game for the year in round 18 after suffering a severe shoulder injury during a Mad Monday incident.

In a statement, the club confirmed that he was taken for scans which confirmed on Wednesday that Mills had suffered a minor hamstring strain.

The Swans haven’t yet confirmed if he would be available for the grand final if they qualify.

Mills’ injury opens up a potential route for the experienced Taylor Adams to come back into the side. However, given Mills has been playing more of a defensive role, utility Robbie Fox is the most likely replacement.

Sydney will take on the winner of the Port Adelaide-Hawthorn semi final at the SCG next Friday night for a place in the grand final.