Scans deliver heartbreaking verdict for unlucky Swans captain

Callum Mills has suffered another September setback. Scans confirmed that the Sydney captain tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Swans’ 53-point win over Brisbane.

Mills went down late in the first quarter while trying to corral Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft near the boundary. Sydney had already surged to a 40-8 lead with an understrength team. Coach Dean Cox feared the worst after the match, and Monday’s scans confirmed the injury.

The 29-year-old defender will miss the rest of Sydney’s finals campaign and could also miss the entire 2027 season. He is due to meet a specialist to determine when surgery will take place.

The injury adds to a difficult run for Mills. He missed Sydney’s 2024 grand final defeat after suffering a hamstring strain before the preliminary final, and played only seven matches that season after injuring his shoulder in a wrestling contest with a teammate on “Mad Monday”. This year marked the first time he had played more than 20 games since Sydney’s 2022 grand final campaign.

Mills had earned praise for leading the Swans through the turmoil surrounding the Pullman Hotel scandal. Five players, including stars Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, are serving club-imposed bans and will not be available for selection. Tagger James Jordon and defender Riley Bice are also out for the season. Sydney’s selection problems could ease as key forward Joel Amartey and winger Justin McInerney near full fitness. Hayden McLean scored three goals against Brisbane while covering for Amartey.