Callum Mills and Isaac Heeney will lead the Sydney Swans AFL team this season as captain and vice-captain.

Mills continues as the sole captain after taking the reins in 2024 while Heeney has been elevated to vice-captain for the first time in his glittering career. Both players are QBE Sydney Swans Academy athletes and proud New South Welshmen. 

Mills has played 174 AFL games in his 10 seasons at the top level and has an All-Australian blazer to his name as well as a Bob Skilton Medal as the Sydney Swans Club Champion. He was named co-captain of the club in 2022 alongside Luke Parker and Dane Rampe before taking over as the solo leader.

Heeney has had a remarkable career in the red and white amassing 224 games since debuting in Round 1, 2015. He has been selected in the All-Australian team three times (2022, 2024, 2025) and has won the last two Bob Skilton Medals.

Sydney Swans Senior Coach Dean Cox said both Mills and Heeney were the standout choice to take the club forward. 

“Since taking over the sole captaincy, Callum has led this club unbelievably well, and he’s the ideal candidate to be captain again this season,” Cox said. 

“He’s always been seen by players and football staff as the best person to lead this club, and despite some setbacks over the last two years, we have full confidence in his on and off-field leadership capabilities to drive this group forward.

“Isaac has had an incredible two seasons on field, and his leadership has gone to another level as well. He complements Callum perfectly with their different leadership styles, and the players voted accordingly."

Mills said it’s a huge privilege to lead this club again in 2026.

“It's a real honour, after a couple of tough years personally for myself, for the club to show faith in me to lead the club again is something I'm truly honoured by,” Mills said.

“There's a really good feeling around the club and for me to be able to lead the boys out again is a massive privilege, and I’m really looking forward to this season.”

Heeney said he is excited for what the upcoming season could bring.

“To be a vice-captain of such a professional and amazing sporting club, one that's got such a rich history and amazing culture is something I'm extremely proud of,” Heeney said.

“Our emerging leaders coming through are really standing up and pushing for these spots in the senior team. The competitive nature around this club and the culture we’ve got is amazing and we're looking forward to driving that and seeing how far we can go this year."

The Sydney Swans Foundation is proud to support the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, shaping the next generation of red and white and future stars of our game.