It's been a big few days for Sydney defender Callum Mills, who won the Brett Kirk Medal after starring in the Swans' derby win over Greater Western Sydney in round three, and plays his 50th senior game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Injuries cost Mills three games – including two finals - in his debut season but he hasn't missed a match since and has been remarkably consistent across half-back where his poise under pressure has been outstanding.
In typical fashion, the 2016 NAB AFL Rising Star winner was keen to play down his first real milestone at AFL level.
"It's gone very fast, it feels like I got drafted yesterday, but I'm really excited to be able to play footy at such a special footy club," he said.
"It's not really a milestone when you look at guys like 'Macca' (Jarrad McVeigh), who has played over 300 games, so 50 isn't much really, but I'm lucky to have guys like him and 'Bud' (Lance Franklin) to look up to."
Mills said that despite their poor start to the year, the rejuvenated Dogs looked back to their very best when they beat Essendon in round three, and the traits that carried them to the 2016 premiership stood out against the Bombers.
"They really hunt the footy, they get a lot of numbers around the ball and try and use their hands to outnumber (teams) around the contest," he said.
"That’s one thing that we'll be making sure our focus is sharp on this week and that will be our mindset.
Mills has also thrown out the welcome mat to highly rated youngster Nick Blakey ahead of the NAB AFL Draft later in the year.
Blakey, the son of the former Fitzroy and North Melbourne defender and Swans head of development, John, is considered one of the country's top draft prospects and is certain to be on an AFL list by the end of 2018.
But the teenager's destination club remains a mystery.
Blakey is eligible to join the Kangaroos or Brisbane under the League's father-son rules after his father played 135 games for the Lions and 224 at the Roos, but he's grown up in Sydney and has come through the Swans' academy system, so all three clubs are vying for his services.
Mills, another product of Sydney's academy, said he'd love to see Blakey in Bloods colours.
"A lot of kids would love to have three or four clubs to pick from and the ball's in his court, but obviously we'd love to have him at the Swans," he said.
"He's a super talent so wherever he picks he's going to be a massive asset to that team.
"He's a promising young player and has a really bright future.
"He's very tall but he moves like a small midfielder.
"He can mark and kick the ball really well, so he's got all the principles down pat for a young guy.
"He's a great kid and a Sydney kid as well, but it's his decision."
