Swans star reveals medical issue after win over Eagles; AFL finals picture emerges after telling day

Swans star Errol Gulden has pledged his side will do everything they can to get the team back in the finals in 2026.

Gulden wasn’t using injuries as an excuse and he said he felt terrible despite tonight’s win over West Coast as the season was finishing far too early.

“This is not where this footy club wants to be, we don’t usually finish the season now, and I’m super disappointed,” Gulden said.

“Tonight was a reflection of our season as we were poor in the first half, and it took a rocket from Coxy at half-time to get us going. Then we did respond.

“The positive is that we have time off now, and then we will hopefully have a really good training block before Christmas and get this club back up where it should be and that’s playing finals.”

Gulden also revealed that he was still having problems with his ankle and the pain management had taken a toll on his stomach.

“I’m still battling a little bit of pain, and I’m pretty keen to get off the anti-inflammatories for a few weeks as my guts aren’t too good,” Gulden told Fox Footy.

“It’s been a different year personally and I’ve learned a lot. Hopefully I get my ankle right over the break and [I’ll] be ready for pre-season training.

Thanks so much for joining us today and tonight.

We will be back tomorrow with a special Sunday AFL blog as the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle put their finals futures on the line.

Please join us tomorrow afternoon.

Until then, bye for now.

Sydney coach Dean Cox wants more talent on his list next season and he didn’t deny the club would be looking for a key forward.

Cox was asked post game whether the rise of Jack Buller and the promising futures of Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey meant the team already had enough key-forward talent.

The Swans have been linked with chasing a star forward this off-season, including Charlie Curnow despite the Carlton superstar telling media in recent weeks that he would remain at the Blues in 2026.

“We’ve got some talent on our list but our job from here is to make sure we have as much [talent] on our list as we can,” Cox said.

“Specific areas or players? Now is the time that we can dive into that.

“We need to make sure that we are continually improving because we are not playing in two weeks time [finals], so we have to improve.”

Swans star Errol Gulden has pledged his side will do everything they can to get the team back in the finals in 2026.

Gulden wasn’t using injuries as an excuse and he said he felt terrible despite tonight’s win over West Coast as the season was finishing far too early.

“This is not where this footy club wants to be, we don’t usually finish the season now, and I’m super disappointed,” Gulden said.

“Tonight was a reflection of our season as we were poor in the first half, and it took a rocket from Coxy at half-time to get us going. Then we did respond.

“The positive is that we have time off now, and then we will hopefully have a really good training block before Christmas and get this club back up where it should be and that’s playing finals.”

Gulden also revealed that he was still having problems with his ankle and the pain management had taken a toll on his stomach.

“I’m still battling a little bit of pain, and I’m pretty keen to get off the anti-inflammatories for a few weeks as my guts aren’t too good,” Gulden told Fox Footy.

“It’s been a different year personally and I’ve learned a lot. Hopefully I get my ankle right over the break and [I’ll] be ready for pre-season training.

The Swans are putting on a clinic in this final term. Nick Blakey had the ball deep in the pocket and decided to dribble it through. It rolled truly for the Swans star.

Swans 118, Eagles 51 with two mins to go.

James Rowbottom has had a heap of tackles tonight and now has kicked two goals.

He’s a reliable, valuable player for the Swans as they look to bounce back up the ladder next season.

Swans 100, Eagles 51 with four mins to go.