We bring you all you need to know from the newspapers around the country in the latest Swans in the media
How union lost super prospect to rival code
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, September 9
CALLUM Mills didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming the next Paul Kelly or Adam Goodes.
The Sydney Swans Rising Star winner wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Wallabies idols, George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock.
Before Mills switched to Aussie Rules at the age of 14 he was on the way to achieving his rugby union dream, winning three consecutive state championships (2008-10) playing for Waringah’s under-aged rep team.
His coach in those teams, Clive “Chugger” Nettleton, could see the same things Swans boss John Longmire has observed in his first year in charge of the prodigious 19-year-old: application and a willingness to learn.
“He was always a good listener and if you told him something once he did it,” Nettleton told the Daily Telegraph
“I tried to get him in the under-14 year and he said he was going the Aussie Rules path. We were very disappointed. It’s nice to see someone who put the work in reap the benefits. He was a good tackler and we think he could have gone on in rugby.”
Giants unchanged, Sydney Swans recall Callum Mills
Neil Cordy
Daily Telegraph, September 9
EVERYTHING is falling into place for Greater Western Sydney ahead of Saturday’s qualifying final against Sydney with the finals debutants naming consecutive unchanged line-ups for the first time in its history.
But Giants coach Leon Cameron has warned those in the 22 they are under pressure to perform.
“There’s still players really pushing hard underneath and they’re unlucky,” Cameron said.
“There’s no doubt there will be opportunities for the reserves players in the coming weeks but right now the guys in the 22 are performing to the level required.”
The Swans have made just the one change as Rising Star winner Callum Mills makes his return from a calf injury at the expense of Harry Cunningham.
“We’re still confident in Harry,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
“We still think he can help us and while he’s not in this week we’re confident he can make a contribution this season no matter how long it goes.”
Swans stung by derby loss heading into GWS final
Andrew Wu
SMH, September 9
The last Sydney derby gave the Giants belief they can cause a finals boilover but is also threatening to sting the Swans' midfield warriors into action in Saturday's historic final.
The Giants cashed in on a rare off day for Sydney when the two sides last met, but it will take some doing for the Swans to turn in another performance anywhere near as bad. It was almost a case of what could go wrong did go wrong for the Swans.
They had their worst night for contested possessions, losing a stat they value highly by 20. As gun midfielder Josh Kennedy said after that game, the Swans were "beaten at our own game".
Their score of 24 from turnovers was their lowest for the year. They have won 15 of 16 games when they outscore their opposition in this area.
They finished the game with two fit men on the bench, and the two they lost to injury were high quality. Kurt Tippett succumbed in the first half while Gary Rohan limped off midway through the third quarter.
Their All-Australian midfield bulls, Luke Parker and Kieren Jack, were quiet, collecting only 13 possessions each, while Josh Kennedy had the ball only six times in the first half and superstar Lance Franklin four.
"Those numbers are unbelievable, that doesn't happen," former Swans star Tadhg Kennelly said.
Giants unchanged as Cunningham makes way for Mills
James Buckley
SMH, September 9
The Giants have ticked off another first in their season of milestones ahead of Saturday's historic qualifying final against the Swans, with coach Leon Cameron naming an unchanged side for a second-straight week.
It marks the only occasion in five seasons where GWS have utilised the same 22 players for three games in a row.
Fittingly it comes as the Giants embark on their biggest milestone to date, a maiden finals appearance earned from a fourth-placed finish, their first top-eight appearance.
Meanwhile, Swan Harry Cunningham is the unlucky Sydney defender dropped to make way for rising star Callum Mills, who missed the win over Richmond with a calf injury. The 22-year-old Wagga native has played 18 games in the Swans' minor premiership-winning season, and will line up in Sunday's NEAFL grand final against GWS instead.
Sydney finished the regular season a win clear of the Giants who enjoyed first-time wins over Geelong, Richmond, North Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle in 2016, and Cameron's side is now eyeing a first triumph at ANZ Stadium over the Swans.
"It's a huge challenge, we understand the ramifications of our first final and what better way than to play one of the best final performers in the last 10 years," Cameron said.
"It's going to be one of those games where we've just got to stay in the moment because finals footy is, it's just not always going to work out for you.
"You're not going to get on a roll, you're not going to be able to kick four or five goals in a row, you've just got to keep hanging in there.
"We're confident that we've learned to win in a different way this year. That uncompromising attack on the footy and playing some really good defence is our greatest challenge this weekend.
"We know the Swans will bring it because they have for a number of years. We look forward to seeing if we can measure up to them."
Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson runs first lap in 906 days
Brendan Foster
SMH, September 9
One of the unluckiest players to ever play in the AFL - Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson - is back on the track after almost three years.
Johnson has had a series of failed knee reconstructions because of ongoing infections, since rupturing his ACL in a pre-season game against Gold Coast in 2013.
The 24-year-old, who has not played at AFL level since the 2012 grand final, had opted for his fifth surgery earlier this year.
If the defender manages to get back playing he will be the first player to come back from five knee reconstructions.
The Sydney Swans tweeted a picture of Johnson at the SCG on Wednesday, jogging for the first time in 906 days.
He was given a standing ovation by his teammates and coaching staff as he ran his first lap.
Johnson told the AFL website back in June, he was upbeat about his latest surgery.
"It all went really well," he said.
"The surgeons were really happy with everything – happy with the graft and how the knee looked overall.
"There's some really positive signs early."
"I'll continue that for the next week or so and then hopefully start moving around a little bit more.
"Hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll get the all clear to get back to Sydney so I can get stuck into my rehab."
