Sydney Swans co-captain Callum Mills has undergone shoulder surgery after injuring himself at post-season drinks and could be in doubt about the start of the next AFL season.
The Swans confirmed the midfielder had undergone surgery last week, with the Seven Network reporting that Mills suffered the injury while wrestling with a teammate during the traditional season-ending Mad Monday celebrations.
Sydney are reluctant to put a timeline on Mills’ return, but his recovery will have a major impact on pre-season, if not the start of the Swans’ 2024 campaign.
“Losing players to injury in the off-season is always disappointing,” Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said in a statement on Tuesday.
‘Callum is our captain and an important member of the team. We are extremely disappointed that this injury occurred.
Sydney Swans co-captain Callum Mills (pictured with Tiffany Browne) has undergone shoulder surgery after injuring himself during post-season drinks and could be in doubt for the start of the next AFL season
‘Callum is, as you can imagine, just as disappointed, but he is recovering well and will immediately start his rehabilitation.’
Mills missed most of the 2018 season after breaking his foot in a freak accident.
In May that year, the Swans announced that Mills was throwing an American football with teammates on the way back from a pub when he tripped and fell.
The 26-year-old has made 155 appearances since his debut in 2016, initially as a half-back before moving to midfield.
Last year’s grand finalists Sydney finished eighth this season and were knocked out by Carlton in the elimination final.
The Swans confirmed that Mills (pictured) had undergone surgery last week, with Seven Network reporting that Mills suffered the injury while wrestling a teammate during the traditional season-ending Mad Monday celebrations