Looking forward to 2024

[stevoswan]

happy New Year everyone. 2023 is a year I just want to forget. It was not good from a footy point of view with us having far too many injuries. The only bright light for me was Glenelg won the SANFL Premiership. My health deteriorated in 2023 to the stage of having a very painful tumor in the bile duct & my anchylosing spondylosis became more intense. I became a very grumpy Old Man lol.

Thanks for sharing wolftone. I'm am also old, and have also acquired some tumors which will likely mean 2024 is my last.

I have only been on the site a few times this year so far and had lost contact with this thread and just noticed these posts. Bloody hell guys....even though I had my own health scare last year but am largely healthy now this certainly puts life into perspective alright. Sincerely, best wishes to you both and Barry, I certainly hope this is NOT your last year mate!

[dejavoodoo44]

It's Errol's world, we're just living in it ???? - YouTube

thats special

Made me wonder if there's any Errol highlights packages on YouTube. There is: although I don't think it includes anything from last season.

Errol Gulden Career Highlights So Far - YouTube

[Auntie.Gerald]

He has normalised us young Errol

If he was playing for another team we would be astounded by his impact

He is just so good !!!!

[Goal Sneak]

Made me wonder if there's any Errol highlights packages on YouTube. There is: although I don't think it includes anything from last season.

Errol Gulden Career Highlights So Far - YouTube

He's just an absolute winner. I suggest the likelihood of him winning a premiership during his career is very high. So glad he plays for the Swans.

[dejavoodoo44]

He's just an absolute winner. I suggest the likelihood of him winning a premiership during his career is very high. So glad he plays for the Swans.

I quite like the chances of him winning a premiership this year. And the interesting thing is, it'll probably be another couple of years before he starts to peak.

[Blood Fever]

I quite like the chances of him winning a premiership this year. And the interesting thing is, it'll probably be another couple of years before he starts to peak.

The only worry I have on him is his size and the increased physical pressure that will be applied to him.

[dejavoodoo44]

The only worry I have on him is his size and the increased physical pressure that will be applied to him.

It'll be interesting to see how much other teams try to tag him and if that's actually effective. I'm sure most coaches would have worked out how important he is to our ball movement, so nullifying him might be high on their list of priorities. But I think if anyone is likely to render a tag ineffective, I might be Errol.

That is, he's always had elite endurance and an exceptional ability to see the game. So, chances are Errol will be heading to an advantageous position, before the tagger has worked out where to go, and he'll be doing that constantly throughout the game. Which should fatigue most taggers. The only time that I recall a tag (or a tight run with role) being reasonably effective, was when the Suns put the genuinely elite Touk Miller on him. Which kept Errol pretty quiet in the first half, but was discontinued at the half time. Whether that was because Miller was cooked, or because they decided they wanted more offence from him, I don't know; but Errol then went on to have a big second half.

So, I tend to think that he will prove too elusive for most taggers, which might then leave the opposition with a choice, of do they have one of their absolute best players doing a run with role, with the risk that they'll lose the attacking side of that player's game?

[wolftone57]

Thanks for sharing wolftone. I'm am also old, and have also acquired some tumors which will likely mean 2024 is my last.

But on a positive, the swans are a very good chance to win the flag, as are the giants, so it will be a great year to follow footy for a Sydney sider.

All the best.

I am very sorry to hear about your illness Barry. I hope the best outcome for you. There are now new treatments and Stemcell treatments are doing wonderful stuff for non hogkins Lymphoma & Leukemia. let's hope they start targeting other cancers. I always maintain hope. I was given a death sentence 37 years ago & am still here. So, while I still respire there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I have a philosophy on death. Everyone dies of the same thing. Lack of breath. It is only the cause that differs. We all are born, fact, live (well hopefully, some people just exist) & then expire. To quote Ned Kelly 'Such is Life'

Today is ho hum. Tomorrow will be a better day.

[wolftone57]

Wolfy and Barry take care guys and I wish you all the very best this year.

thank you

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Strongly seconded, all the best

Thank You

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Take care Barry and Wolfie. I hope you enjoy many more Swans' wins to come in 2024 and beyond.

Thank You & I bloody hope so lol

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Hey Barry and Wolfie hoping and wishing both of you the very best.

Thank You so much

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I have only been on the site a few times this year so far and had lost contact with this thread and just noticed these posts. Bloody hell guys....even though I had my own health scare last year but am largely healthy now this certainly puts life into perspective alright. Sincerely, best wishes to you both and Barry, I certainly hope this is NOT your last year mate!

Thank You & I am glad you came through ok.

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He has normalised us young Errol

If he was playing for another team we would be astounded by his impact

He is just so good !!!!

He is the most balanced footballer I have seen in a long, long time. superb disposer, 87%, does the impossible. That kick on the run is the hardest kick in footy. A Checkside punt on the run from 40 metres. Not many players have ever been able to do that.

[wolftone57]

The only worry I have on him is his size and the increased physical pressure that will be applied to him.

His size has not been a factor so far & I don't see it being so. He was able to take marks over the top of far taller opponents. He is strong, tough, but most importantly, he is the most talented player in the AFL simply because he has perfect balance. don't worry, he got plenty of physical pressure last season. Got tagged & managed to beat the tag on several occasions. Got bullied & bullied back. The only bloke who got the better of him for a half was Miller.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I agree

The way the game is officiated is so in alignment with dynamic fast breaking footy players and height and weight less impactful

I mean look at the impact of Bobby Hill moving into space so illusively up front for the Pies and stealing space that traditionally would have had a cut out defender owning.

I mean look at Gulden

When u stand near him at training etc he is an absolute common knock about slim build.

Some of these guys are running so lean that they are looking like triathletes

Chad looks to have slimmed down also. Old “Farmers Arms” looks like he has lost his biceps ???? ????

[barry]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April last year.

[Blood Fever]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April last year.

Take care Barry and may the Swans give you joy all season

[Nico]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April last year.

Cheers Baza. Look forward to your prognostications during the season.

[chalbilto]

Take care Barry and may the Swans give you joy all season

+1. All the best Barry.