Sydney will use captain Callum Mills's long-awaited return to fuel them for their North Melbourne clash following the disappointment of Isaac Heeney this week.
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Mills will slot straight into the senior side in Heeney's absence after the Swans failed in their bid to overturn a one-match ban at the AFL's appeals board for striking St Kilda's Jimmy Webster.
Heeney is ruled out of their clash at the SCG on Saturday and is no longer eligible for the Brownlow Medal, the league's highest individual honour, this season.
Mills's return comes at an opportune time with Sydney attempting to put an end to a two-match losing run when they take on Alastair Clarkson's 17th-ranked side.
The hard-running midfielder has spent eight months on the sidelines after damaging the rotator cuff in his left shoulder while wrestling with a teammate at a post-season event in September.
His return was set back further when he suffered a low-grade calf strain in April.
Though the setbacks were frustrating for the 27-year-old, teammate Hayden McLean said Mills was as fit as he's ever been through his rehabilitation program.
"If you look at the nick he's in at the moment, it's probably the best I've seen him since I've been at the club. He's looking strong, big, lean and powerful," McLean said.
"We've missed him and to keep the vibes going, to get the captain of the club back, especially 'Millsy', it's a massive boost for us.
"As a captain and not being in a team that's winning and not being able to impact on the field has probably been a bit harder for him.
"But even on the game, he's at the bench every match and helping us in any aspect he can."
Former co-captain Luke Parker has been named as an emergency after serving a six-game suspension.
Like Mills, Parker has not played a game at AFL level this season due to injury.
The 31-year-old starred in the VFL before a heavy bump against Frankston's Josh Smith in his fourth game back from a broken arm resulted in a ban.
North Melbourne get their own midfield boost with young gun George Wardlaw free to play after recovering from concussion symptoms.
Wardlaw has missed the Kangaroos' last two games after suffering a head knock at training.
Australian Associated Press
