Lloyd hits back at captaincy call on 'stupid' Swans star

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd lashed Swans star Callum Mills for a "stupid" Mad Monday act, but says he doesn't deserve to lose the captaincy.

Mills, 26, is in danger of missing the start of next AFL season after tearing the rotator cuff in his shoulder while wrestling a teammate at post-season celebrations.

The Swans on Wednesday said they were "disappointed" in the skipper as the club confirmed he had surgery to fix the injury.

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Reports claim such an operation can take up to nine or 12 months to properly recover, which could almost end Mills' 2024 campaign.

"This is as bad an injury as I can remember from something as foolish as this," Lloyd told Footy Classified on Wednesday.

"You're messing around, you're having a wrestle on Mad Monday.

"You can cop football injuries that put you out for that long, but it's hard to remember something so serious from something so stupid from a captain of a footy club."

Veteran AFL journalist Damien Barrett suggested the incident was serious enough for Swans coach John Longmire to consider stripping Mills of the captaincy.

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It was a suggestion that left former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire seeing red.

"You reckon he doesn't feel bad enough now?" McGuire said in defence of Mills.

"It happens… I know what you're saying, it is hard for the club. You slam your head against a wall (in frustration)."

Lloyd, while highly critical of Mills over the incident, agreed with McGuire.

"He's made a mistake on the day, but not enough to lose the captaincy," Lloyd said.

The AFL world appears split on whether Mills should be condemned for the incident, or let it be brushed off as an accident.

"What's not acceptable? They're having a muck around wrestle with a mate having a drink," St Kilda great Leigh Montagna told Triple M radio.

"I'm not validating it, but I don't want to get caught in this hysteria and go down this path that it's inappropriate. It's not deliberate and accidents happen.

"That can happen in anything. You could be playing social basketball with some mates over summer and you fall over."