Sydney Swans confirm Captain Callum Mills ruptured ACL, needs surgery in injury update after Lions smashing
Sydney Swans fans have been handed a major update on captain Callum Mills after Saturday’s emphatic win over Brisbane.
Callum Mills will undergo surgery after scans confirmed the Sydney Swans captain has ruptured his ACL.
Mills suffered the devastating knee injury during Sydney’s emphatic qualifying final win over Brisbane on Saturday, limping from the field before emerging from the change rooms on crutches.
The Swans confirmed on Monday afternoon that scans had revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Mills’ right knee.
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“Callum Mills had scans today on his right knee which confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament,” the Swans said in a statement.
“Mills will be reviewed by a knee specialist in the coming days to determine the optimal timing of surgery.
“Early rehabilitation is already underway, as he progresses through the initial phase of recovery.”
The injury rules Mills out for the remainder of Sydney’s finals campaign and is expected to keep the skipper sidelined well into 2027.
It is a major blow for the Swans, who stunned reigning premiers Brisbane with a 53-point victory at the SCG to book a preliminary final berth.
Sydney will now have a week off before hosting the winner of Fremantle and Geelong at the SCG.
Mills has been one of Sydney’s most important players this season and had continued to play a key role for the club during a turbulent period off the field.
The Swans will now prepare for their preliminary final without their captain as they attempt to reach the grand final.
The win over Brisbane came after a difficult few weeks for Sydney, with the club still dealing with the fallout from the Pullman Hotel scandal.
Mills had been widely praised for his leadership throughout the difficult period, with former players saying the events had struck at the heart of the Swans’ famous Bloods culture.
The captain has had to steer the club through the suspensions of five teammates, including star trio Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, who were all in All-Australian contention before being ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Tagger James Jordon and defender Riley Bice are also serving club-imposed bans and will not feature again in 2026.
Sydney Swans statement
Sydney Swans captain Callum Mills had scans today on his right knee which confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Mills will be reviewed by a knee specialist in the coming days to determine the optimal timing of surgery. Early rehabilitation is already underway, as he progresses through the initial phase of recovery.
