He was recruited as the number 25 draft pick in the 2005 AFL Draft from Southport. He made his debut for the Brisbane Lions in Round 2, 2006 against Essendon.
Mills was expected to be developed as the Lions' Centre Half-Back to fill the void created by the retirement of Justin Leppitsch. In the 2007 AFL season, he was used initially in a half forward flank role, but then became increasingly a defensive forward who put pressure on opposition defenders to force them to make mistakes. He kicked two goals against Kangaroos on 4 August 2007.
Wayde Mills was delisted by the Brisbane Lions at the end of the 2008 season.
At the end of the 2008 season Wayde Mills was signed by the Glenelg Football Club in the SANFL, he made his debut in Round 1, 2009 and he has become a consistent Full-back.
The Grogan Medal has been awarded most years since 1927, and every year since 1945, to the best and fairest player in the Queensland Australian Football League and, historically, other high-level Queensland football competitions. It was known as the De Little Medal until 1946.
