Sydney Swans co-captain Callum Mills has expressed his bitter disappointment over an incident at the club’s Mad Monday celebrations which has left him in doubt for next season.
Mills ruptured his rotator cuff in a wrestle with a teammate and was forced to undergo shoulder surgery which could sideline for 9 to 12 months.
Speaking at a press conference, Mills said it was an innocuous incident, but that it was no excuse for his actions, admitting he had let the club down.
“I made a bad mistake, I put myself at risk and I take full responsibility,” Mills said.
“I am obviously extremely disappointed and this is not a reflection of the captain that I aspire to be.
“I’m gutted that this could potentially put my start to the season at risk.
“I want to assure everyone that I’m doing everything I can to get back as quickly as possible.
“It was an innocuous accident and over the next couple of days (afterwards), I didn’t actually know what I had done or how bad it was.
“As soon as I found out the result, I went into Horse’s (coach John Longmire’s) office and I told him exactly what had happened.
“He was extremely disappointed, as am I. It was extremely hard but that’s the respect I have for Horse.”
Mills refused to name the player involved in the incident and was insistent that he had put himself in the unfortunate position and now it was his responsibility to bear.
The 26-year-old also said the issue around his captaincy had not yet been raised by the club.
“It’s a discussion for the club to have,” Mills continued.
“I absolutely love leading this club and it’s something that I hold deep to my heart.
“It’s a position that I don’t hold for granted.
“It’s a decision for the club to make and at the right time.”
Mills is no stranger to off-field injuries. He previously broke his foot in 2018 when throwing a Gridiron ball and landing awkwardly.
First-year player Jacob Konstanty has been named as the player who was wrestling with the Swans skipper.