From injury agony to finals hope: Mills’ thrives during Swans comeback

With two years of injury frustration behind him, Sydney skipper Callum Mills says the thought of playing in September again is driving the Swans through their do-or-die stretch.

After spending the majority of the past two years on the sidelines, Swans captain Callum Mills admits he’s missed the feeling of contributing to the team and hopes to continue his injury-free run as his side chases a finals berth.

Mills has played in each of the past five matches for the Swans, with their only loss in that period coming against the Western Bulldogs at home.

Throughout that time, he has averaged 23.8 disposals a game and has been an integral part of their rejuvenated form.

While the club’s morale and long-term potential are clearly in safe hands, Mills admits that their positive six-week stretch still has them believing they can challenge in 2025.

Mills played another strong game in the comeback win over St Kilda. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“We’ve put in a fair bit of work over the past six, seven weeks to get our form back on track, and we were really pumped to win (against St Kilda),” Mills said. “It was a tough, gritty win, and the Saints played extremely well.

“I think you miss contributing to the team, and being out there is no better way to do that. To be able to do that for a few weeks straight has been nice. I hope I can continue to do it for the rest of the year.

“We obviously want to give ourselves the best chance this year, and that’s focusing game by game, as boring as it sounds. But that’s the reality of what you have to do to execute the best outcome. That tends to help out in the future as well.

“It’s been an incredible amount of hard working gone into it. We’re all just backing in our processes and doing that as best as we can. But when you do that, I think the results generally fall in your favour.”

Following a plantar fascia tear that cut short his pre-season midfield work, Mills has now settled into a versatile role that combines stoppage duties with halfback playmaking.

The 28-year-old has won plenty of the ball since making his return. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

His return, along with Harry Cunningham’s comeback in round 13, was a clear turning point for the Swans’ season. Their ability to have composure with the ball coming out of their own defensive half had been desperately missed by Dean Cox’s side.

It has seen Mills become almost like an NFL quarterback with the way he takes possession of the ball in his territory before sending it up the field, and it’s a role he is relishing.

“It’s really enjoyable playing that position,” Mills said. “You’re able to see a lot of things going on up the ground.

“If I can help in that way, I think that’ll definitely help the team (in the long run).”

Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne will not only be a chance to keep their season alive, but it will mark two separate celebrations.

First, former Swans captain Luke Parker will return to the SCG for the first time in North Melbourne colours – “We love Parks, he’s a champion of our club and I hope our supporters will show him the respect that he deserves,” Mills said.

Mills (R), Nick Blakey (L) and Tom Papley (2R) model the Swans’ one-off guernseys for this week’s clash against North Melbourne. Picture: Sydney Swans

But for the first time in 40 years, the Swans will also be playing without the famous QBE logo on their chest. Instead, each Sydney player will feature a hand-drawn heart on their chest created by children from Save The Children Australia and the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.

It’s a chance for the club to celebrate the bravery of some of their youngest supporters, with the unique guernseys to be auctioned off after the game to raise funds for the two organisations.

“It’s amazing for QBE to give up the front of the guernsey for something special like this,” Mills said. “Hopefully, the kids get a real kick out of seeing their hand-drawn hearts on our jumpers, and hopefully it can be a story for everyone to talk about.

“I have seen mine, it looks amazing. I think it’s so special that a kid’s hand-drawn heart can be on a Swans guernsey. There aren’t many people in the world who can say that.”