Swans skipper Mills to play against Roos in AFL return

Sydney skipper Callum Mills will return to the Swans' senior side to take on the Kangaroos. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Sydney captain Callum Mills will play his first AFL game of the season, lining up against North Melbourne after overcoming injuries.

Mills will slot straight back into the senior side on Saturday after spending eight months on the sidelines.

The hard-running midfielder was ruled out for the first half of the season after damaging the rotator cuff in his left shoulder while wrestling with a teammate at a post-season event in September.

Mills' playing return was set back further when he suffered a low-grade calf strain in April.

His return comes at an opportune time for the Swans, with star midfielder Isaac Heeney at risk of suspension following an off-the-ball strike against St Kilda's Jimmy Webster on the weekend.

Sydney coach John Longmire says Mills, 27, will play against the Kangaroos regardless of whether the club is successful in overturning Heeney's ban.

"Regardless of what happens at the tribunal, 'Millsy' will come back in," Longmire said on Tuesday.

"He's done a power of work. We've gone through all the numbers 'til the cows come home.

"He's had a really good (training) block, so he will come back in the senior team this week."

Fellow midfielder Luke Parker's return to the senior side is not as clear-cut.

The former co-captain will be available to play after serving a six-game VFL suspension, but Longmire stopped short of confirming he would appear in the senior side.

Like Mills, Parker has not played a game at AFL level this season due to injury.

The 31-year-old starred in the Sydney reserves side before a heavy bump against Frankston's Josh Smith in his fourth game back from a broken arm resulted in his suspension.

"We'll talk about 'Parksy'. He's coming back," the coach said.

"He'll come back into the frame (this week) as far as playing football."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store