ACL Tear(KTCL)

Timeline

1. R265 Sept

   Occurred

   The captain went down in the first quarter of the qualifying final against Brisbane when his right knee gave way as he changed direction near the boundary, and he took no further part. The club is awaiting scans, with a cruciate rupture feared.

   1 fixture missed

   vs BRL

2. 7 Sept

   Reassessment

   Scans on 7 September confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee. Sharpened KNXX to KTCL now the feared diagnosis is established.

   Sydney Swans
3. 7 Sept

   Progress update

   Reassessment

   ACL reconstruction carries a roughly twelve-month recovery, so the earliest realistic return is late in the 2027 season. The club has said he could miss all of 2027. Mills could also potentially miss the entire 2027 season.

   Return now expected 1 Sept

   AFL.com.au
4. 8 Sept

   Reassessment

   Confirmed ACL rupture — a reconstruction rules him out for the rest of 2026 and most or all of 2027.

   Sydney Swans