Callum Mills will not play in Saturday's 2024 AFL Grand Final, with Sydney opting not to risk fielding their captain under the duress of his hamstring injury suffered earlier this month.

Mills' status shaped to be the biggest story ahead of the weekend following Sydney's preliminary final victory over Port Adelaide, with the club and Mills himself hinting that he would be a chance to play.

Following the Swans' 2022 grand final loss, where coach John Longmire opted to field key forward Sam Reid despite being hampered by an adductor strain suffered in the previous week's preliminary final, the club were heavily scrutinised for the call to play Reid, and were faced with an eerily similar scenario for the 2024 campaign, this time to their captain.

"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 short statement.

The decision marks the second heartbreaking selection story of this grand final, with Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney being ruled out straight after Brisbane's triumph over Geelong last Saturday, suffering two disturbing shoulder dislocations in quick succession.

The call means Swans defender Robbie Fox will likely hold his spot in the side, being Sydney's inclusion for Mills last weekend.

It also means one of Swans' vice-captains Luke Parker or Dane Rampe will take on the honour of receiving the 2024 premiership cup, should Sydney claim an illustrious victory.