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Oh Errol: Cox confirms return of star Swan
Andrew Slevison • June 23rd, 2026 9:45 am
Errol Gulden will return for the Sydney Swans this weekend.
Swans coach Dean Cox has confirmed that the 23-year-old will be back in the line-up for Thursday night’s clash with back-to-back champs the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Gulden dislocated his right shoulder when he was chased down and tackled by Lincoln McCarthy in the Round 1 win over the Lions at the SCG.
After missing more than three months he’ll be welcomed back by Cox into a team that sits second on the ladder with a 12-2 record.
“Errol will play,” Cox revealed on SEN Breakfast.
“He got through everything he’s had to get through which is great for the football club and great for Errol as well.
“It’s been a hard two-year period for him (after an ankle injury in 2025), the resilience of the young man and what he’s gone through. He has trained extremely hard, he’s done everything he possibly can and he’s ready to go which is really exciting.”
Cox insisted that Gulden will not be on managed minutes in his return match.
“He won’t have too many restrictions on him,” Cox added.
“The pleasing thing is after he could start running he’s been running for eight weeks or so, so he’s done another pre-season.
“I think one of his biggest strengths is how he covers the ground. He’ll be managed a little bit but I expect him to play near the match minutes he normally does.”
The Swans coach also provided updates on key defender Tom McCartin, who has been sidelined for a few weeks with concussion, as well as Tom Papley and Dane Rampe who have both been nursing calf injuries.
“We expect Tommy to play also this week,” Cox said.
“He’s just got to tick off each day as it comes but he got through training which was really good.
“Ever since he did get concussed he’s responded really well so that’s been really pleasing.
“‘Paps’ is a couple of weeks away. He’s working his way through back into training now.
“And ‘Ramps’ will play VFL this week. He’s missed six weeks so it will be seven weeks to playing, and the best part of his prep at his age is to get some minutes in the VFL program.”
The Swans were beaten by Geelong before the bye but are refreshed and ready to go for the business end of the season which kicks off against the Lions in Round 16.
