Sydney captain Callum Mills completed an intense session trying to prove his fitness for the AFL grand final
Potential grand final heartbreak for Sydney Swans captain Callum Mills could be transferred to one of his teammates after he got through a significant training session on Wednesday hoping “that’s enough” to take his place in the side to play the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
Mills was bullish as he left the training track and even Swans coach John Longmire told waiting media that the skipper had trained “flat out” trying to prove he’d overcome a hamstring issue which forced him to miss his side’s preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.
Teams will be finalised on Thursday for the AFL decider but Mills, who pushed himself through an intense session, behind closed doors but captured by TV cameras, left the field with a smile on his face and declared himself ready to go as he left the club.
He said the decision was now up to Longmire.
“Trained 100 per cent,” Mills told waiting media.
“Hopefully (I’ll play). It’s over to Horse (John Longmire) now. But got through training and feel good. Just had to train hard and hopefully, that’s enough.
“I’ve just been worried about the team and making sure we’re in the best shape to play well in a granny.”
Mills injured is hamstring in the qualifying final win over GWS on September 6. Saturday’s grand final is 22 days from the injury, with most time frames for recovery from a hamstring strain 21 days, depending on the severity.
After Mills trained, Longmire said he went at “110 per cent” but wasn’t willing to declare his captain would take his place.
Should Mills return, Longmire would have to leave out one of the 23 from the preliminary final. Robbie Fox was the player who came in for Mills.
“He trained 110 per cent which is a good sign. We’ll see how he goes,” Longmire said.
“We’ll make a call when we have to call. Most importantly we’ve got our eyes on Brisbane and the rest of the team is really important as well.”
Spearhead Logan McDonald is likely to take his place in the grand final despite rolling his ankle during the preliminary-final win over Port Adelaide last Saturday.
Brining in Mills still looms as a big decision for a coach who opted to play Sam Reid in the 2022 grand final off a long injury lay-off. Sydney were smashed by Geelong in that game.
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