A remorseful Callum Mills has taken full responsibility for badly injuring his shoulder in a Mad Monday mishap which could cost him the Sydney captaincy.
The co-captain damaged the rotator cuff in his left shoulder while wrestling teammate Jacob Konstanty at the post-season event.
He has undergone surgery and may miss a large chunk of the 2024 AFL season.
"This is not a reflection of the captain I aspired to be and I'm gutted that this will potentially put the start of my season at risk," Mills said on Wednesday as he fronted media with his left arm in a sling.
"I made a bad mistake. I put myself at risk and I take full responsibility.
"One thing I do want to assure people is, I'm doing everything I possibly can to get back as quick as possible."
The 26-year-old has been co-captain of the Swans since 2022 alongside Dane Rampe and Luke Parker.
One of Sydney's most important players, he has featured in 155 games since his 2016 debut, originally at half-back before moving into the midfield.
Club officials have yet to sit down with Mills to determine whether they would strip him of the captain's armband.
"That's a decision for the club to make at the right time ... but what I will say is, I absolutely love leading this club," he said.
"It's something I hold deep to my heart and it's a position that I don't hold for granted."
Mills did not comment on Konstanty or provide any detail of the incident, calling it an "innocuous accident".
Coach John Longmire was informed by Mills of the matter straight after he had scans to determine the severity of the injury.
"The next couple of days, I didn't know what I'd done, how bad it was," Mills said.
"It wasn't that bad at the time but obviously it is what it is now. I was in his office as soon as I found out.
"It was extremely hard but that's the respect I have for Horse, to be able to own it and take full responsibility and he was disappointed."
Mills missed most of the 2018 season after breaking his foot in a bizarre accident.
In May of that year, the Swans announced Mills was throwing an American football with teammates on the way back from a cafe when he tripped and fell.
Last year's losing grand finalists, Sydney finished eighth this season and were knocked out by Carlton in the elimination final.
