Sydney captain Callum Mills has been ruled out of the AFL grand final against Brisbane despite getting through training unscathed on Wednesday.

The midfielder-turned-defender had been in a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s premiership decider after injuring a hamstring during a training session on 10 September.

The 27-year-old missed the Swans’ preliminary final win over Port Adelaide last Friday night but pressed his claims for a recall when training behind closed doors at the SCG on Wednesday. But the decision was made later in the day not to risk him against the Lions.

“Mills trained this morning and after taking everything into consideration a joint decision was made by the club’s medical staff and the coaches to rule him out,” the club said in a statement.

The 2022 All-Australian talked up his chances of earning selection before the club made the call to rule him out a day before teams are announced.

“Good, mate. Trained 100%, feels good,” Mills told reporters after training. When asked if he would play, Mills added: “Hopefully. It’s over to Horse [coach John Longmire] now, but got through training and felt good.”

Mills added that he would not be pushing Longmire to be considered for the Swans grand final side to face the Lions at the MCG, saying “Nah, just had to train hard and hopefully that’s enough.”

The Swans’ skipper has played just seven matches this season during an injury-riddled campaign.

He was ruled out of the first half of the season after injuring a shoulder in a Mad Monday mishap last year, then suffered a calf injury just as he was nearing a return. He eventually returned to the side in round 18 but has only averaged 17.4 disposals a game, down on the 27.5 touches he averaged in 2021.

He was picked for the Swans side that lost the 2016 grand final to the Western Bulldogs after overcoming a hamstring injury sustained in the first week of that year’s finals series but went on to have limited impact on the game.

Sydney paid a heavy price when selecting Sam Reid for the 2022 grand final against Geelong despite the forward-ruck carrying an injury concern into the match. Reid had sustained an adductor muscle injury in the preliminary final and was subbed out before half-time as the Cats ran away in the premiership decider.

Logan McDonald completed the Swans main training session and is set to be named in their grand final side after being subbed out in the preliminary final victory due to a rolled ankle. The key forward was omitted from the Sydney side that was defeated by Geelong in the 2022 grand final.

Brisbane have also made an early call on which player will replace Oscar McInerney after the ruck twice dislocated his shoulder in the preliminary final win over Geelong. Lions coach Chris Fagan backed Darcy Fort to replace the injured big man, despite the 31-year-old only playing twice this season.

“Darcy Fort has been our No 2 ruckman all year,” Fagan told Fox Sports on Tuesday night. “Young Henry Smith is not too far behind him, but a little bit less experienced. He [Fort] is ready-made and fit to come in, so he’ll be a logical replacement for Oscar.

“He [McInerney] is a big loss, but equally, Darcy Fort is a guy who really deserves an opportunity. He’s been so understanding of playing the role as second fiddle.”

Final teams will be announced on Thursday night.