‘No frills’ captain making his mark on Swans
ASK anyone who knows Sydney Swans co-captain Callum Mills – intimately or from afar – and the response will always be glowing.
Rival footballers rave about how good he is, while Swans champion Josh Kennedy was so impressed that he stood down as skipper to pave the way for Mills to become the AFL’S youngest active captain.
But there’s something else everyone relays about the 25year-old: he’s the rare star athlete who doesn’t crave the limelight.
“Callum’s a no-frills, get-thejob-done type of person,” West Coast great-turned-swans assistant coach Dean Cox said.
“As a coach, you couldn’t ask for a better player from all aspects, whether it’s attention to detail for his own game; his work ethic to improve; or the ability to hold himself and teammates to account.
“There’s a reason he’s a young captain of our footy club.”
Mills is as difficult an opponent for journalists as he is for players not wearing red and white, something Cox knowingly chuckled about.
He’s unerringly polite, but don’t expect long-winded answers, or for him to indulge in how well he’s going.
Mills’ understated ways make more sense when you find out he looked up to the famously selfless Kennedy and fellow former club co-captains Jarrad Mcveigh and Kieren Jack. That trio share similar personality traits.
“They were my mentors, and the people I wanted to be like,” Mills said ahead of the Swans clash with competition leader Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
“They also happened to be in these leadership positions, so I’m very honoured to be in that same position now.”
The captaincy has predictably suited Mills, alongside Luke Parker and Dane Rampe.
Club insiders describe a person who will lead with his actions, but not hesitate to pull a teammate into line if required.
Any potential for Mills to come across as intimidating is offset by his ability to “be a lad” just as comfortably.