Sydney Swans midfielder Errol Gulden is just 175cm tall, but his influence on his team’s game plan is immeasurable.
For the second year in a row, the Swans will spend a chunk of the season without Gulden due to injury. Last year, it was a fractured ankle; this time, it is a dislocated shoulder, suffered in the win over Brisbane on Saturday.
On Monday, Swans midfielder Angus Sheldrick was asked about the loss of Gulden and said what many think: “He’s almost an impossible player to replace.”
The Swans will miss the impact of injured midfielder Errol Gulden.Credit: Getty Images
This is what the Swans will miss and how they move on without Gulden.
Last season’s lessons
The Swans’ 2025 season could be divided into two neat sections: with and without Gulden. The midfielder missed the first 13 rounds and his team won five games. When he returned, they won seven out of 10, showing the form that easily would have placed them in finals contention.
The Swans also faced other major injury issues early in the season, namely to captain Callum Mills, but Gulden’s absence and return present a compelling narrative.
Last year, Gulden’s return helped the Swans improve major metrics, specifically their scores inside 50, moving from 17th in the AFL to seventh, highlighting his ability to be dangerous all over the field.
The midfielder’s presence at stoppages also creates havoc for the opposition, Gulden is perpetually in motion, showcasing the elite endurance that he has demonstrated since he was drafted from UNSW six years ago.
Gulden is desperate for the football, while also opening up opportunities for others to shine.
Leadership
Gulden is only 23 years old, but he is a captain in waiting. In pre-season, the midfielder spoke of his desire to develop his leadership skills under Mills and is already excelling in his apprenticeship.
In the opening round victory against Carlton, the club he supported as a boy growing up in Sydney, Gulden demonstrated exactly how he leads, with and without the ball.
In the first half, Gulden had struggled alongside his teammates, managing eight disposals as they entered the changing rooms 10 points down.
Following the 75-point third quarter comeback, Gulden had 12 disposals and six score involvements. Alongside Isaac Heeney and Justin McInerney, Gulden had helped to provide a spark that was desperately missing by taking the game on.
Errol Gulden walks down the race after being injured against Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images
Alongside his performance on the field at the SCG against Carlton, Gulden showed his willingness to guide his teammates.
When Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet kicked his second goal in the third quarter, he taunted Sydney’s Brodie Grundy in celebration.
Gulden immediately put himself between the players, gently moving Grundy back to his position and away from any unnecessary confrontation. Gulden knew the huge workload on Grundy as a ruckman and did not want him wasting unnecessary energy.
Grundy is eight years older than Gulden and has played for three AFL clubs, but he immediately moved back into position as instructed. It was a small moment, but it highlighted the effect Gulden has on senior teammates.
Tag team: Errol Gulden and Brodie Grundy.Credit: for Getty Images
Ironically, Gulden was later fined $1500 for his role in another third-quarter melee against Carlton, but at a young age, he is already seen as a key leader in the senior squad.
Silver service
Last year, former Carlton full-forward Charlie Curnow was impressed by the Swans’ sales pitch, which included the prospect of playing with Gulden and receiving service from one of the best kicks in the league.
“His kicking, he’s probably got to be the best in AFL really,” Curnow said. “There’s not many teams where you get a player like that and also the fast decision-making he gives you. I love athletes too, and Errol’s certainly one of them.”
Charlie Curnow and Joel Amartey celebrate victory over Carlton.Credit: Getty Images
Curnow was not the only player to benefit from Gulden’s skill set in the forward line. Joel Amartey has kicked eight goals, showcasing the kind of form that belies the fact he has only played 63 games since being drafted nine years ago. Gulden is the consistent spark that fires the Swans’ forward line.
According to Champion Data, after two games this season, Gulden was showing the best form of his career. The midfielder averages 8.5 score involvements a game and also noticeably has increased his work rate in defence, averaging 9.5 tackles.
Gulden was developing into a two-way threat, cruelly getting injured just as he was hitting his stride.
How can Swans adapt?
On Wednesday, Gulden was undergoing surgery in Sydney, while his team completed their captain’s run at the MCG before facing Hawthorn on Thursday.
Swans coach Dean Cox confirmed that Isaac Heeney will be rested against the Hawks as he recovers from a tight hamstring and said the Swans were a new team this season.
“We’re a very different team than what we were last year; we’ve had a lot of change in this group,” Cox said. “Not only Errol [Gulden], but if you talk about Logan [McDonald], Joel [Amartey], Paps [Tom Papley], Callum [Mills]. A lot of these players didn’t play a lot of footy last year.
“We’re confident with the players that come in. You’d love some of your best, but they’ll perform the role that’s needed.”
In the victory against Brisbane, Chad Warner spent a lot of the night as a roaming forward, but against Hawthorn, he will be moved into the middle to provide elite running and distribution.
Midfielder Justin McInerney is also stepping up as a creator and a finisher after collecting the opening game against Carlton with a career-high 31 disposals and three goals. He followed this up with 23 disposals and two goals against Brisbane and is ranked fourth in the AFL for score involvements.
The Swans’ fast transition game has thrived with Gulden at its centre, but his absence is providing the perfect opportunity for others to step up. Hawthorn at the MCG is the perfect place to start.
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