Fantasy: The role for Callum Mills in 2021

The role for Callum Mills may adjust this season, this was the suggestion by Swans coach John Longmire in an interview with @RileyBev from AFL.com.au this week.

Longmire provided insight as to why Mills was required to play more as a half-back in recent years, the Swans coach has no doubt he could fulfil a midfield role at any stage. 

“We know he can do both. It’s never been about whether Callum (Mills) can play midfield, we know he can play midfield & be very good at it, it’s just we have been looking at setting up that defence.” John Longmire.

Longmire also provided an update on where Mills has been training this pre-season. 

“He’s been doing a fair bit of training through the midfield this year”

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With the number of experienced defenders exiting the club in recent years Mills was required to play more in defence

“Two years ago, we trained him in our midfield. Then we lost Heath Grundy, Jarrad McVeigh & Nick Smith all at once, so we had to put him (Mills) back. We’ve been rebuilding our defence to a large degree & a lot of experience has left our back six, so he’s been part of that.” Longmire added.

With the Sydney list growing in experience this may allow Mills to be used more in the midfield, but that group is also in a development stage of a rebuild. 

“As that’s been progressing over the last couple of years & those guys have been playing a bit more together, it’ll allow him to play a bit more midfield & he’s been doing a fair bit of training through that midfield group.” Longmire concluded.

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Mills averaged 73.6pts from 15 games last season, he scored a season high 125pts against Richmond in Round 6. This game was played in extremely wet conditions with Mills sweeping up plenty of Richmond Inside 50 entries across half-back. 

Mills was used at 78.9% of centre bounces (season high) in Round 8 last season scoring 91pts against Hawthorn, he was used at 12.6% of total Sydney centre bounces last season.

The potential increase in midfield usage for Mills this season is noteworthy, Josh Kennedy & Luke Parker likely remain as the 2 heaviest used players in at centre bounces with Longmire also wanting to add to the midfield depth in 2021.

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James Rowbottom & Ollie Florent did see an increase in midfield usage last season, their usage may be cut if Mills claims a decent amount this season.

Additionally if Will Gould or another player can make an impact early this season across half-back this also increases the potential for Mills to be used at a decent rate in the midfield.

Mills is likely close to or near fully priced in AFL Fantasy classic to begin the season, if his role is split for the season then volatility in scoring may be an issue.

The defensive position is an asset for Mils in fantasy but with so much value at the position to begin the year it may not be necessary to take the plunge at Round 1.

Mills is worth moving up several spots in your draft rank in 10 team standard draft leagues, it’s worth going earlier compared to what your opponents feel is where he may be selected. 

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