Player Watch #14 Callum Mills (c)

[Kennedy Parker]

Callum Mills

Callum Mills

14

Callum Mills

Age

27

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

18.4

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.4

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

is one of the best young players in the AFL. The QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate won the 2016 AFL Rising Star award and was selected in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22Under22 team in three of his four eligible years. Mills is a small defender with uncompromising courage who’s also capable of shifting through the midfield. The New South Welshman was elevated to Sydney’s leadership group during the 2018 pre-season at the age of just 21, and he’s now a member of a five-man leadership panel alongside co-captains Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker

26

Luke Parker

Age

32

Ht

183cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.8

5star

D

22.1

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

9.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.5

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

8.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

and Dane Rampe

24

Dane Rampe

Age

34

Ht

187cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

2.5

4star

MG

358.8

5star

D

14.1

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.1

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

284.5

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.4

4star

, as well as Lance Franklin.

Callum Mills

14

Callum Mills

Age

27

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

18.4

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.4

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

DOB: 02 April 1997
DEBUT: 2016
DRAFT: #3, 2015 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: North Shore (NSW)

Callum Mills | AFL

Follow Callum Mills's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Feels silly to say as he's obviously a great player, arguably our best when at his best, but he will be such an incredible asset if he can get fit and even semi-firing this year.

I'd like to see us use Mills as something of a swingman, if he gets back on the park this year. His best game last year was against Freo in Perth, where he played mostly on a wing, and literally just ran hard both ways, reading the play to be a marking presence at either ends all game. He had 3 rebound 50s and 3 inside 50s, 8 marks for the game with 4 being intercept marks but still taking 2 marks inside 50 (for 2 goals). That is the very definition of getting it done at both ends. We know he can strengthen and reinforce our backline, which I really think he'll do, but it's not like our defence needs him so much (hello, we have the lowest points against in the comp without him!!!) that he can't still push forward to be a threat inside 50, too. We've seen how damaging the likes of Heeney & Warner are when they've pushed forward this year, but Mills is closer to a third tall size than either of them, so he can be a damaging marking target.

I feel like that swingman player is probably the only thing that we've perhaps missed at times in an otherwise-incredibly-balanced team. Our talls get by on their competitiveness, and our defenders always help each other out within their system. But sometimes you just need that one guy who is just too good in the air, just to clunk marks and to structure plays around and give us chances to control the tempo of games.

That's why I think he's the big inclusion, if we can make it happen. It's different to say, McCartin or Parker. They're basically upgrades (arguably so, in Parker's case) on existing players in roles within the team. Mills is sort of a different beast altogether, a kind of weapon that can be unlike anything else we have in the team. Just yet another migraine for the opposition coaches to have to work around, and potentially the one that takes us from "gee they're the best team" to "pack it in, they can't be beaten.

Very well said

 

[rustycrate]

Feels silly to say as he's obviously a great player, arguably our best when at his best, but he will be such an incredible asset if he can get fit and even semi-firing this year.

I'd like to see us use Mills as something of a swingman, if he gets back on the park this year. His best game last year was against Freo in Perth, where he played mostly on a wing, and literally just ran hard both ways, reading the play to be a marking presence at either ends all game. He had 3 rebound 50s and 3 inside 50s, 8 marks for the game with 4 being intercept marks but still taking 2 marks inside 50 (for 2 goals). That is the very definition of getting it done at both ends. We know he can strengthen and reinforce our backline, which I really think he'll do, but it's not like our defence needs him so much (hello, we have the lowest points against in the comp without him!!!) that he can't still push forward to be a threat inside 50, too. We've seen how damaging the likes of Heeney & Warner are when they've pushed forward this year, but Mills is closer to a third tall size than either of them, so he can be a damaging marking target.

I feel like that swingman player is probably the only thing that we've perhaps missed at times in an otherwise-incredibly-balanced team. Our talls get by on their competitiveness, and our defenders always help each other out within their system. But sometimes you just need that one guy who is just too good in the air, just to clunk marks and to structure plays around and give us chances to control the tempo of games.

That's why I think he's the big inclusion, if we can make it happen. It's different to say, McCartin or Parker. They're basically upgrades (arguably so, in Parker's case) on existing players in roles within the team. Mills is sort of a different beast altogether, a kind of weapon that can be unlike anything else we have in the team. Just yet another migraine for the opposition coaches to have to work around, and potentially the one that takes us from "gee they're the best team" to "pack it in, they can't be beaten."

AND
He can play back, forward, or a wing or in the centre.....IN THE SAME GAME....whatever we need, he can decide where he is needed more to impact the game. I'm sure Horse has given him the licence to decide where he is most needed and has the most impact. Multiple times a game. He is that good.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Feels silly to say as he's obviously a great player, arguably our best when at his best, but he will be such an incredible asset if he can get fit and even semi-firing this year.

I'd like to see us use Mills as something of a swingman, if he gets back on the park this year. His best game last year was against Freo in Perth, where he played mostly on a wing, and literally just ran hard both ways, reading the play to be a marking presence at either ends all game. He had 3 rebound 50s and 3 inside 50s, 8 marks for the game with 4 being intercept marks but still taking 2 marks inside 50 (for 2 goals). That is the very definition of getting it done at both ends. We know he can strengthen and reinforce our backline, which I really think he'll do, but it's not like our defence needs him so much (hello, we have the lowest points against in the comp without him!!!) that he can't still push forward to be a threat inside 50, too. We've seen how damaging the likes of Heeney & Warner are when they've pushed forward this year, but Mills is closer to a third tall size than either of them, so he can be a damaging marking target.

I feel like that swingman player is probably the only thing that we've perhaps missed at times in an otherwise-incredibly-balanced team. Our talls get by on their competitiveness, and our defenders always help each other out within their system. But sometimes you just need that one guy who is just too good in the air, just to clunk marks and to structure plays around and give us chances to control the tempo of games.

That's why I think he's the big inclusion, if we can make it happen. It's different to say, McCartin or Parker. They're basically upgrades (arguably so, in Parker's case) on existing players in roles within the team. Mills is sort of a different beast altogether, a kind of weapon that can be unlike anything else we have in the team. Just yet another migraine for the opposition coaches to have to work around, and potentially the one that takes us from "gee they're the best team" to "pack it in, they can't be beaten."

I think his forward craft is underestimated. Strong body and hands, good kick.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Think we need him - our flag chances rise dramatically with him in and fit. Not sure it’s fair to expect Roberts to handle a deep run into the finals.

Possibly but I don’t expect much this year, not sure him and Roberts are really competing for the same spot maybe they are don’t know

 

[rustycrate]

Possibly but I don’t expect much this year, not sure him and Roberts are really competing for the same spot maybe they are don’t know

There is no possibly. There is only definitely.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

If Mills was fit for selection last week he would've been in the side instead of Campbell. Having Mills play the HBF / Wing position instead of Campbell or Roberts is an upgrade and improves our team. I think this demonstrates how strong we are currently.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

There is no possibly. There is only definitely.

Lose a bit of speed and rebound though. Think Mills has to play a couple in the vfl first

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If Mills was fit for selection last week he would've been in the side instead of Campbell. Having Mills play the HBF / Wing position instead of Campbell or Roberts is an upgrade and improves our team. I think this demonstrates how strong we are currently.

Agree upgrade on Campbell who I’m far from convinced on. Then probably Fox in for whoever to be the sub when the games matter

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Agree upgrade on Campbell who I’m far from convinced on. Then probably Fox in for whoever to be the sub when the games matter

Mills is such a versatile player, being able to play all medium and small positions in such a way that if any players in that size range go down or lose form, he would instantly come in and improve the team. He can even play as a key back - just not on the bigger guys like Tex, Hawkins or McKay. I recall him holding his own against Cameron and Himmelberg in the past.

 

[ashep]

Lose a bit of speed and rebound though. Think Mills has to play a couple in the vfl first

Ralph reckons the club have said he'll come straight back in.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Ralph reckons the club have said he'll come straight back in.

Surely needs at least 1 in the reserves

 

[ashep]

Surely needs at least 1 in the reserves

You would certainly think so after half a season out.

 

[Swannie0307]

Cal has always had elite fitness, so wouldn’t be surprised if he comes straight back in to the first team.

When we have all our best players available, I think either Roberts or Lloyd will have to make way for him … reckon his best position for us will be starting on the wing with stints in the middle and down back.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Cal has always had elite fitness, so wouldn’t be surprised if he comes straight back in to the first team.

When we have all our best players available, I think either Roberts or Lloyd will have to make way for him … reckon his best position for us will be starting on the wing with stints in the middle and down back.

Lloyd has been amazing on the wing no way would I be dropping him

 

[Swannie0307]

Lloyd has been amazing on the wing no way would I be dropping him

But let’s say it came down to Lloyd or Mills, it’s a simple decision right. Yes Lloyd has been good over the last 4 or 5 games or so, especially since he’s been ‘playing on’ a lot more and hence fitting into our game style.

Look if we stay healthy, we’re gonna have the best selection headaches ever!

 

[Punts]

Amazing for Lloyd abit strong imo

 

[LukeParkerno1]

But let’s say it came down to Lloyd or Mills, it’s a simple decision right. Yes Lloyd has been good over the last 4 or 5 games or so, especially since he’s been ‘playing on’ a lot more and hence fitting into our game style.

Look if we stay healthy, we’re gonna have the best selection headaches ever!

Lloyd would not even be considered on form to be dropped

 

[Dan87]

Do people really think he's our best player?

I like him but that's not correct imo

I like him best as a utility atm

 

[the hypnotoad]

Do people really think he's our best player?

I like him but that's not correct imo

I like him best as a utility atm

on pure ability he might not be in our top half dozen players but he's right up there for importance, he's just a top-class footballer who absolutely makes our team better, a genuine leader
surely he comes in for roberts, and lloyd is shifted ...

 

[Superstar swan]

Mills back to defence again for me, I would not be messing with the midfield unit at all.

Milla is an AA level defender and would help free up lizard

 

[ashep]

Do people really think he's our best player?

I like him but that's not correct imo

I like him best as a utility atm

We've had a few probably go past him but in '22 he was pretty universally recognized as the best two-way mid in the comp.

Ironically I agree that his best role in this team could be at half back.

 

[Ehswan]

Mills back to defence again for me, I would not be messing with the midfield unit at all.

Milla is an AA level defender and would help free up lizard

I think wing , midfield is his best. I thought midfield invigorated him. He is solid defensively but I think not quick enough for smalls. Not big enough for talls . He seemed to get caught a bit down back.
At the time he was moved to mids I wondered if he had reached his cieling. A little like heeney this year , it brought out his best.

 

[Punts]

HB/mid when need a clearance

Hodge role

 

[The King!]

HB/mid when need a clearance

Hodge role

Free up the lizard and take pressure off Heeney/Gulden.

Build his fitness .

He waltzes back into the team , he is the captain

 

[caesar88]

Do people really think he's our best player?

I like him but that's not correct imo

I like him best as a utility atm

2022 he was
Last year was Gulden
This year is Heeney

All different types so I would find it hard to say one is better than the other.

But I also think the concept of 'best player' is a fluid thing. If it's changing every month or so then that's a really good thing for your side IMO.