In the same press conference that saw him named sole captain of the Sydney Swans, Callum Mills has provided an update on his injured shoulder.
Celebrating Mad Monday last season, Mills sustained a shoulder injury whilst wrestling with teammate Jacob Konstanty at a Surry Hills pub and would go on to require shoulder surgery.
After undergoing successful surgery, the scans showed considerable damage, which meant the All-Australian would spend a significant time on the sidelines.
Now, after being named the sole captain of the Swans, Mills has provided an update on the injury and insists he will be back around the middle of the season.
"It's going really well," Mills told reporters on Tuesday.
"We're on course and getting strength into the shoulder now.
"It'll be around the mid-season mark (for a return), and I'll be doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible."
In the meantime, Mills revealed he will still play a big part on gameday which will likely see him accompany John Longmire and assistant coach Leon Cameron in the coaches box or on the sidelines. However, he is unsure of what his exact role will entail.
With Mills out for the first half of the season, Longmire has given no hints on who will be named captain while he's out or provided an insight into what players could be selected into the leadership group.
"We've done it before at the footy club a number of times," Longmire said.
"It sort of doesn't change what we do as far as who tosses the coin.
"It's an important job for everyone, whether you're a first or second gamer to an experienced player like Luke Parker, who has played 280 games."
Sydney's season opens on March 7 against Melbourne at the SCG.
