Callum Mills: Sydney rule out captain from grand final contention amid hamstring recovery

Sydney will resist the urge to rush back skipper Callum Mills for Saturday’s grand final, with the club on Wednesday ruling out an unlikely return.

Mills trained on Wednesday morning in a bid to test his fitness following a hamstring strain at training a fortnight ago.

But just hours later, the Swans made the call to put a line through the 27-year-old and dash hopes of what would have been a return just 18 days after the injury.

“Mills trained this morning and after taking everything into consideration a joint decision was made by the club’s medical staff and the coaches to rule him out,” a Swans statement said.

It’s a bitter blow for the 2022 All-Australian, who has played in losing grand finals in 2016 and 2022 without tasting the ultimate success.

Mills had earlier said he “trained 100 per cent” and that his body “feels good” after speaking to reporters post-training.

When asked if he’d be picked, he responded: “Hopefully... It’s over to Horse (coach John Longmire) now.”

But the Swans erred on the side of caution entering their showdown with Brisbane, making the call more than 24 hours before releasing their line-up for Saturday.

Seven’s Ryan Daniels reported Mills left Longmire’s office in tears after learning of the decision.

Mills’ non-selection comes against the backdrop of a banged-up Sam Reid (adductor) being picked for Sydney’s most recent decider two years ago, with Longmire admitting post-game that the gamble on his fitness had backfired.

The news means the Swans are likely to enter Saturday’s clash unchanged.

Mills played just seven games this year - his lowest tally for a season - after an injury-affected campaign that included shoulder surgery following a wrestling incident on the club’s Mad Monday celebrations 12 months ago.

Should Sydney win, one or both of the Swans’ vice-captains in Luke Parker and Dane Rampe will get the honour of lifting the premiership cup on stage.

It could lead to similar scenes from the 2016 grand final, where injured Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy was called up to have Luke Beveridge place his own medal around his neck - with then first-year player Mills watching on as part of the opposition.

Mills joins Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney as heartbreak stories for this year’s decider.

The Lions big man has missed just two of his team’s past 53 games, but will be absent from the grand final side after dislocating his shoulder in the preliminary final victory over Geelong.

Former Swans skipper Stuart Maxfield will present the premiership cup if Sydney win, with Leigh Matthews set for the honour if Brisbane prevail.