Callum Mills has quickly and effortlessly taken to life as an AFL footballer, embracing the repetitious and strenuous workload after only two months as a Sydney Swan.
Mills, who was the Swans’ first selection in last year’s National Draft, has enjoyed an uninterrupted run so far and fitted in seamlessly as pre-season training progresses from mainly conditioning work to game simulation.
Mills described training as “full on” but believes his time in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy has prepared him well for the rigours of senior football.
“I tried to tell myself it’s like going into year seven at school, but it’s more like a jump to year 10 when you realise just how demanding it really is,” he said.
“Its been pretty much what they say – we eat, sleep and train. So it has been pretty full on but I’m loving every minute.
“My body is starting to get used to the heavy workload now though, and the boys have been really welcoming, so I’m really enjoying it.”
An injury-free summer would bode well for the 18-year-old who has been touted by many as a potential first-round debutant.
Instead of look too far ahead, Mills was focusing on his football “session-by-session” with the aim of absorbing as much as he can to ready himself for the upcoming season.
“I haven’t missed a session. That’s a positive and my body is feeling good despite the intensity of trainings which has been through the roof,” he said.
“But I guess that’s the level you have to train at to become an AFL footballer and I’m determined to train like that every session.
“The main focus for me is to learn as much as I can off the senior boys and really know what it’s like to be an AFL player and how to handle the pressure that comes with it.”
Mills re-joined training on Wednesday following the annual two-day AFL Players’ Association Induction Camp in which the talented midfielder joined his fellow first years in learning about the different aspects of the AFL.
