Callum Mills is set to force Sydney to make a huge selection call in grand final week as Taylor Adams prepares for another hard-luck end to an AFL season.
Mills tweaked his hamstring in the aftermath of the Swans' qualifying-final win over GWS, prompting fears he would be sidelined for the rest of the finals series.
But the captain, who watched from the coaches' box as his side eased to a 14.11 (95) to 8.11 (59) win over Port Adelaide in their preliminary final on Friday, has made giant strides in his recovery.
“He trained today and trained quite well," coach John Longmire reported.
"Did a fair bit, which is a good sign. We'll see how the week progresses."
Longmire recalled Mills for the 2016 grand final in eerily similar circumstances, with the academy product having suffered a hamstring injury in week one of the finals on that occasion.
More recently, Longmire admitted it was a mistake to pick an injured Sam Reid in the 2022 grand final that the Swans lost.
Mills was non-committal when asked on Seven about his prospects of being passed fit.
“I’ll give it a crack this week and see how we go," he said.
Veteran defender Dane Rampe will be out there next Saturday after only receiving a fine for striking Port Adelaide star Zak Butters in the first quarter.
Rampe elected to bump while bearing down on Butters, raising his arm and seemingly catching the Power star high after he dished off a quickfire handball.
The stand-in captain said after the game it "wasn't a big hit" and he wasn't worried about the match review officer's findings.
Young key forward Logan McDonald rolled his ankle on Friday night, creating a fresh injury headache for the minor premiers.
“He seemed OK in himself so we'll see how his ankle pulls up," Longmire said.
Adams is one player who appears on the outer despite featuring in 19 matches during his first year at the Swans.
The 31-year-old was dropped in week one of the finals, making way as Sydney recalled fit-again stars Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney amid four changes.
It now appears unlikely Adams will be picked, barring a fresh setback to a teammate at training.
The former Collingwood midfielder ended in tears after his side won the 2023 grand final, having been reduced to the role of spectator because of a hamstring injury.
Longmire, who missed playing in North Melbourne's 1996 premiership after undergoing a knee reconstruction and was then overlooked in the Kangaroos' side that contested the 1998 grand final, could only sympathise with Adams.
"I've been there as a player," Longmire said.
"A couple of times, both with injury and non-selection.
"So absolutely you do feel for him.
"But his attitude has been terrific. He was out on the ground tonight soaking in the moments and we're not sure what happens this week.
"So just keep working and see how the week progresses."
Adams said he was "ecstatic" when interviewed by Seven after the game.
"I thought that was probably our best performance for the year,” Adams said.
“We played probably the best four quarters of footy we've played and I am rapt for the boys.
“After going through last year, I sort of learned to really enjoy this, what’s been thrown at me. Looking forward to a great week.”
