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

 

[Kiama Chris]

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.

100%. You can really only judge those things on careers. We are blessed that we have more than 23 players good enough to play seniors at a high level and so far have not needed to field a "bottom 6".
I'm surprised that no commentators have mentioned this.
Fantastic place to be with a number of genuine match winners playing well together.

 

[Dan87]

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.

So why call him arguably our best player?

Added melodrama?

 

[Bonz]

HB/mid when need a clearance

Hodge role

Nailed it on the head here

 

[caesar88]

So why call him arguably our best player?

Added melodrama?

Because I think he is arguably our best player?

We've hardly got to see him at full flight since that 2022 season so to me yeah the player from that year is still the player I think he is and can be. Even if used in a different role I think he can be our best.

I also think that of at least half a dozen others, too. That's why I think it's arguable, and why I'm so bullish on the team.

 

[Nuggetz]

Ease him back into the team. We've earned that luxury. If he's fit then he'll be in the best 22, let the season dictate where he's needed the most. Imo he'll float around on a game by game basis. Sometimes forward, others times mids & defence. Maybe all 3 in the one game. Every team will be envious of this luxury.

 

[bedford]

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

Ralph !

 

[bedford]

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.

Roberts is a much better player at this stage easily

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Roberts is a much better player at this stage easily

He had a cracking start but tailed off culminating in him bring rested then coming on as the sub.

It will be interesting to see how he comes back post bye as he certainly did add alot off half back when playing well. If he recaptures his early season form, could even be in the running for the rising star.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Where he comes back in will be very interesting if we are at full strength.

Assume we don’t want to change our team balance, an argument could be made that Mills is our second best player across several positions, but perhaps not a clear standout in any one. For example:

• Rowbotton - stronger defensively
• Adams - better at get ball then get ball out, and faster
• Heeney - better user and more dynamic
• Macca / Gulden / Florent - better and more creative kicks
• Lloyd - elite runner (even by Mills standards)
• Wicks - faster and better at putting on pressure
• Roberts - better kick
• Robbie Fox - can play taller

This is not to say that Mills is not a better players than most of these; it’s only to show that team balance would need to change (and we would probably become either slightly slower or have slightly lower disposal - although better defensively, better at the contest and better leadership).

I am attracted to the idea of Mills being our Mr Fixit, and roaming to wherever the team needs him most. I reckon starting in halfback would enable Mills to show his leadership and also see the opportunities to inject himself. There will always be one other team mate having an off day or facing an awkward mismatch with the opposition - or a weakness in the opposition that Mills could exploit.

On this basis, I think it is Roberts that makes way, noting we have several players who can play halfback to enable Mills to move around. If Roberts is in fire, then maybe it is the fantastic Mr Fox (who would be very j lucky).

 

[The King!]

Where he comes back in will be very interesting if we are at full strength.

Assume we don’t want to change our team balance, an argument could be made that Mills is our second best player across several positions, but perhaps not a clear standout in any one. For example:

• Rowbotton - stronger defensively
• Adams - better at get ball then get ball out, and faster
• Heeney - better user and more dynamic
• Macca / Gulden / Florent - better and more creative kicks
• Lloyd - elite runner (even by Mills standards)
• Wicks - faster and better at putting on pressure
• Roberts - better kick
• Robbie Fox - can play taller

This is not to say that Mills is not a better players than most of these; it’s only to show that team balance would need to change (and we would probably become either slightly slower or have slightly lower disposal - although better defensively, better at the contest and better leadership).

I am attracted to the idea of Mills being our Mr Fixit, and roaming to wherever the team needs him most. I reckon starting in halfback would enable Mills to show his leadership and also see the opportunities to inject himself. There will always be one other team mate having an off day or facing an awkward mismatch with the opposition - or a weakness in the opposition that Mills could exploit.

On this basis, I think it is Roberts that makes way, noting we have several players who can play halfback to enable Mills to move around. If Roberts is in fire, then maybe it is the fantastic Mr Fox (who would be very j lucky).

Do we have a timeline on Fox?

In a final right now i'd Rather have Mills and Fox than roberts , maybe unfair

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Do we have a timeline on Fox?

In a final right now i'd Rather have Mills and Fox than roberts , maybe unfair

Maybe unfair, but I think also correct.

I didn’t realise Fox was out for so long long (about 4 weeks) - based on someone else answering your question in another thread.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Maybe unfair, but I think also correct.

I didn’t realise Fox was out for so long long (about 4 weeks) - based on someone else answering your question in another thread.

One of the things Horse was keen to do to improve our chances of winning the premiership was to bring in some additional experience as well as a (potentially) top ruck in Grundy. Adams was definitely for experience as will as inside skills. JJ with his 60+ games and being around a premiership is a cherry on top. Plus of course our guys getting another year under their belts.
For sure he will bring back Mills and Parker when they're fit enough. My guess is we don't see Fox or Roberts again in the 22 unless there's an injury.

 

[bedford]

One of the things Horse was keen to do to improve our chances of winning the premiership was to bring in some additional experience as well as a (potentially) top ruck in Grundy. Adams was definitely for experience as will as inside skills. JJ with his 60+ games and being around a premiership is a cherry on top. Plus of course our guys getting another year under their belts.
For sure he will bring back Mills and Parker when they're fit enough. My guess is we don't see Fox or Roberts again in the 22 unless there's an injury.

Roberts will be in this week

 

[The King!]

Roberts will be in this week

Agree. Campbell might be sub instead

 

[Donza]

Roberts will be in this week

To win the Rising star!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Agree. Campbell might be sub instead

Suits that role while Fox is out. He's been good as a sub when he's had games there this year.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Would Mills for Cunningham (depending on what the team looks like closer to the time) be a consideration?

 

[sataris]

Do we have a timeline on Fox?

In a final right now i'd Rather have Mills and Fox than roberts , maybe unfair

Don't worry, everything is aligning to bring back a 60% mills instead of a 100% roberts in the grand final.

 

[sataris]

Would Mills for Cunningham (depending on what the team looks like closer to the time) be a consideration?

No.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Would Mills for Cunningham (depending on what the team looks like closer to the time) be a consideration?

No. You need Cunningham to play on the smalls Mills isn’t quick enough to do that surely imagine him against let’s say Charlie Cameron for arguments sake

 

[Wheresbuddy]

No. You need Cunningham to play on the smalls Mills isn’t quick enough to do that surely imagine him against let’s say Charlie Cameron for arguments sake

I'd back him against the CC of 2024. He's been pretty ordinary. But yes, Harry has been very good this year and wouldn't bring in Mills over him. As it stands, if we had a fully fit and ready to play Mills, I would either bring him in for the Roberts / Campbell position or Adams.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I'd back him against the CC of 2024. He's been pretty ordinary. But yes, Harry has been very good this year and wouldn't bring in Mills over him. As it stands, if we had a fully fit and ready to play Mills, I would either bring him in for the Roberts / Campbell position or Adams.

Whoever is replaced will be a mite unlucky.

 

[Stencorp69]

We could really do with Mills down back it could really address a weakness in the team.

 

[bedford]

We could really do with Mills down back it could really address a weakness in the team.

And what is that !

 

[ashep]

And what is that !

The lack of Callum Mills in our best 22!