Sydney captain Callum Mills has brushed aside the disappointment of his knee injury to celebrate a “proud” day for the Swans after they smashed Brisbane to be one win away from the AFL grand final.
The 29-year-old’s right knee gave way as he attempted to corral dual Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft in the first quarter — when Sydney were already leading by five goals and riding a wave of momentum at the SCG.
Mills rose gingerly to his feet and was helped off the ground by two Swans trainers, accompanied by a large round of sympathetic applause as he made his way down the race.
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The Swans soon confirmed Mills would play no further part in the match, before the 29-year-old reappeared on the bench with crutches and gave the crowd a thumbs-up when he was shown on the big screen.
A serious knee injury would rule Mills out for the rest of the finals series and even a large portion of next season, but he refused to sulk over the situation after the game, instead celebrating his teammates’ performance.
“It’s unbelievable. So proud. We wanted to build some respect back and the way we turned up tonight, the way we fought, it was Bloods-like and I’m so proud of the group,” Mills told Channel 7’s Bec Maddern.
As Maddern said it just felt “unfair” that Mills would go down after standing tall in the wake of the alleged Pullman Hotel scandal, he simply said “it is what it is”.
“I’m just so proud to be part of this group, that was a special win,” he said.
“Sitting on the bench and being part of it was incredible. I hope everyone here felt it today.”
Mills gets support from Hayden McLean as he leaves the field. Credit: AAP Mills said he had no clarity on his injury, though the strong expectation is clearly an ACL injury.
“Nah, not yet. We’ll figure it out later,” he said.
Speaking after the match, coach Dean Cox said they were expecting the worst.
“Not expecting great news on Callum, we’ll find out in the next couple of days the extent of that,” Cox said.
“But it’s devastating for him and the footy club.
“We’ll do whatever we can to support him through whatever it is that he will go through.”
The serious setback comes amid speculation over the playing futures of the five Swans teammates — including star trio Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey — who were suspended for breaching club behavioural standards last month.
Mills had earned plenty of kudos for his leadership after the Swans were engulfed by turmoil in the fallout from the Pullman Hotel scandal, which led to the club-imposed player bans.
“Shattered for him,” star teammate Errol Gulden said.
“He’s had a wretched run with injury. He’s the heart and soul of our footy club. The way he’s led our team all year, but in particular the last few weeks — he’s an amazing person.
“Absolutely shattered for him but we’ll keep our fingers crossed until we know the full extent I guess.”
Mills gives a thumbs-up from the bench after returning from the rooms. Credit: 7AFL Mills missed most of the 2024 season after hurting a shoulder in a ‘Mad Monday’‘ wrestling contest with a teammate.
He returned to action late in 2024 and played in Sydney’s first final, but injured a hamstring and was sidelined when the Swans lost to Brisbane in the season decider.
Cheers of “Sydney, Sydney” rolled down from the stands before the game, as fans responded to calls from players and officials to back the understrength team.
But the crowd was later announced as just 37,261, down on the 43,000-plus figures recorded at home finals in recent years.
The Swans kicked six of the first seven goals and led by 30 points at half-time before winning by 53.
Gulden said he was “so nervous” on Saturday morning, not just because they were facing the back-to-back reigning premiers.
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been feeling a little bit of extra pressure with the boys that aren’t in the midfield not playing,” Gulden said of the Pullman Five.
“But I thought I channeled it (the nerves) the right way. But the most important thing was to just play my role for the team.”
Gulden paid tribute to the VFL players who have stepped up since replacing their banned teammates, and VFL coach Nick Malceski for keeping their reserves ready to do so.
Sydney will host either Fremantle or Geelong in a preliminary final in their improbable premiership push.
Brisbane will return to the Gabba and host either the Western Bulldogs or Adelaide in a semi-final, as they continue their pursuit of a third consecutive flag.
— with AAP