Errol Gulden

Errol Gulden
Gulden in August 2026
Personal information
Full name Errol Gulden
Born (2002-07-18) 18 July 2002
Sydney, New South Wales
Original team UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs (AFL Sydney)
Draft No. 32, 2020 national draft
Debut Round 1, 2021, Sydney vs. Brisbane Lions, at the Gabba
Height 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb)
Position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Sydney
Number 21
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2021– Sydney 112 (78)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 22, 2026.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Errol Gulden (born 18 July 2002) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). Gulden is a dual All-Australian and won the Bob Skilton Medal in 2023. He also won the AFLPA best first-year player award in 2021 and was nominated for the 2021 AFL Rising Star award.

Early life

Gulden was born in Sydney[1] to a Turkish-born father and an Australian mother.[2] He grew up in the suburb of Malabar and supported Carlton.[3] He began playing junior Australian rules football for the Maroubra Saints Junior Football Club in Maroubra as at the age of 4.[4][5] However his main passion was soccer, he was considered quite a talented player and desired to continue toward playing it professionally.[6] Gulden was identified by Sydney Swans talent scouts and was signed to the Sydney Swans academy at 11 years of age.[7]

In 2017, while attending Marcellin College Gulden was named in the NSW independent schools team to New Zealand to play against the New Zealand national team.[8] In 2018, Gulden was named as an Under 16s All-Australian after his stellar season with the Under-16 NSW/ACT Rams, and was also named as the team's most valuable player.[9] He played in the 2019 NAB All Stars Futures Match alongside future teammates Braeden Campbell and Logan McDonald.[10] Gulden also played for the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in three seasons from 2018 to 2020 for a total of 33 games[11] and was named as best on ground in their 2019 premiership win over Sydney University.[12][13]

AFL career

Gulden was recruited by Sydney with the 32nd draft pick in the 2020 AFL draft.[14][15]

Gulden debuted in the opening round of the 2021 AFL season, starring for Sydney in a 31-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.[16][17][18] In his first game, he kicked 3 goals and collected 19 disposals and earned himself a Rising Star nomination for the round, as the Swans won at the Gabba and defeated the Lions, in both instances, for the first time since round 10, 2018.[19][20][21][22][23] In addition, Gulden polled two votes in the 2021 Brownlow Medal, becoming the fifth Swan to poll votes on debut. He backed up his groundbreaking round one performance with a 22 disposal, 1 goal performance the next week in the team's 33 point win over Adelaide.[24] After this performance, Champion Data statistics described him as having two of the best games recorded by a debutant ever.[25] Gulden played the first eight games of the 2021 season, before being sidelined for an extended period of time due to stress reactions in his foot.[26] He returned in Round 15 against Port Adelaide[27] and remained in the side for the rest of the year. Gulden became a key part of Sydney's best 22, helping the team qualify for finals after a 16th-placed finish the year before. He played 15 games and kicked 12 goals, and was recognised by his peers when he won the AFLPA Best First Year Player award.[28] He also polled in the top 5 for the Rising Star, and was the highest-polling first-year player.[29]

In 2023, Gulden polled 27 votes in the Brownlow Medal, finishing in equal fourth place, just four votes behind winner Lachie Neale. This was the most votes by a Swan in a season since 1940.[30] He also received selection to the All-Australian team for the first time.[31] He also won the Bob Skilton Medal, awarded to the best Swans player for the year,[32] alongside being voted on for the AFLPA's 22under22 team.[33]

Gulden was considered a key part of Sydney's success during the 2024 season, including their minor premiership.[34][35] His performance throughout the season earned him a second selection in the All-Australian team.[36] He also received 25 votes in that year's Brownlow Medal.[37] He extended his time at the team that same year, signing a 4-year contract.[38][39]

In the 2025 preseason clash against Gold Coast at People First Stadium, Gulden fractured his ankle, which saw him miss the first half of the year. He returned in the round 15 clash against Port Adelaide,[40] and eventually brought up his 100th AFL game against Essendon in round 21.[41]

Gulden suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the 2026 AFL season for four months during round 1.[42] He returned in round 16 against the Brisbane Lions.[43]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.[44]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2021Sydney21 1814111958728282520.80.610.84.815.74.62.92
2022Sydney21 25188338142480112890.70.313.55.719.24.53.63
2023Sydney21 2422204641796431261190.90.819.37.526.85.35.027
2024Sydney21 261516514191705146920.60.619.87.327.15.63.525
2025Sydney21 106116410226653430.60.116.410.226.65.34.36
2026Sydney21 93415710125833480.30.417.411.228.73.75.30
Career 1127860183280226345524430.70.516.47.223.54.94.063

Honours and achievements

Team

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "'I was not allowed to play': Bronwyn Gulden is making up for lost time in footy". The Age. 26 August 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Young Sydney star Errol Gulden warns Swans' best is yet to come ahead of Anzac Day date with Hawthorn". news.com.au. 22 April 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "AFL 2023: Sydney Swans' All-Australian Errol Gulden 'can't wait' to face childhood heroes Carlton". amp.theage.com.au. 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Talented teen learning art of being a Sydney Swans gun". Daily Telegraph. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "10 things to know about our draftees". Sydney Swans Media. 10 December 2020. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "I definitely wouldn’t have been playing AFL": Swans star pays thanks to club’s Academy program Archived 16 August 2024 at the Wayback Machine by Mitch Keating for Zero Hanger. 29 September 2023
  7. ↑ "AFL Draft: Pick 32, Errol Gulden". Sydney Swans Media. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Arnold, Caitlin (21 April 2017). "Independent Schools tour New Zealand". AFL NSW/ACT. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018.
  9. ↑ Arnold, Caitlin (19 July 2018). "Campbell and Gulden gain All Australian honours". AFL NSW/ACT. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Arnold, Caitlin (30 August 2019). "Three locals to play on AFL's grandest stage". AFL NWS/ACT. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Errol Gulden Player Stats - UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs". SporsTG. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  12. ↑ Naghten, Tom (10 December 2020). "AFL Draft 2020: Sydney Swans land two more gems in Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden". ssportingnews.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "UNSW/ES AFL Clubs Men's premier Championships". Arc UNSW. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  14. ↑ Laughton, Max; Waterworth, Ben; Balmer, Matt (10 December 2020). "AFL Draft wrap: Buddy clone goes at Pick 1; Trades galore amid Pies' golden night". Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  15. ↑ Black, Sarah (9 December 2020). "NAB AFL Draft recap: Every pick as it happened". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  16. ↑ McArdle, Jordan (16 March 2021). "Perth product Logan McDonald one of three Sydney Swans debutants against Brisbane Lions in AFL round one". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Forsaith, Rob (17 March 2021). "'Horse' backs the kids: Three Swans draftees to debut". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  18. ↑ Lalor, Peter (16 March 2021). "Sydney Swans unveil a trio of potential stars". The Australian. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  19. ↑ "Good as Gulden: Swans young gun nabs R1 Rising Star nomination". Australian Football League. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Whiting, Michael (20 March 2021). "First-game Swans sizzle in Brisbane boilover". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  21. ↑ McNurtry, Andrew (20 March 2021). "Brisbane Lions slammed for 's*** attitude' as Sydney Swans cause upset". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  22. ↑ Wu, Andrew (20 March 2021). "No Buddy, no worries as slick Swans stun Lions with emphatic win". The Age. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  23. ↑ "Young Swans stun Lions in AFL boilover". ESPN. 20 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  24. ↑ Pegan, Martin (27 March 2021). "Buddy's return sparks Swans to fly high over wasteful Crows". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  25. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (31 March 2021). "Inside the 'dramatic' revolution of the Swans that few saw coming: Champion Index". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  26. ↑ Laughton, Max; Zita, David; Balmer, Matt (19 May 2021). "AFL injury news after Round 9: Brutal blow as All-Aus star needs more surgery; Cox sent to hospital". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 11 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026. Sydney will be without Rising Star nominees Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell for at least a month each, with both first-year stars suffering stress reactions.
  27. ↑ "TEAM: Two changes for Round 15" (Press release). Sydney Swans. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  28. ↑ Leonard, Owen (2 September 2021). "Ohhh Errol, most would give everything to be just like him". AFLPA. Archived from the original on 11 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  29. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (26 August 2021). "Full AFL Rising Star votes: Caleb Serong claims big victory to claim 2020 award". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 11 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "By the numbers: Gulden enters the record books in Brownlow count". Sydney Swans. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  31. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (30 August 2023). "All-Australian team: Toby captain, 12 new faces named". Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  32. ↑ Garb, Daniel (5 October 2023). "Young gun Gulden makes history by being named top Swan". AFL. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  33. ↑ Cotton, Ben (23 August 2023). "No.1 pick's weird snub; 2023's big slide worse than we first thought: AFL's best young team revealed". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  34. ↑ Cotton, Ben (20 May 2024). "'Toying with the rest of the comp': Swans' superstar midfield leading 'ridiculous' charge". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 8 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Jovanovski, Jack (24 September 2024). "New AFL three-headed monster is 'miles ahead' of the rest. One last step will see them eclipse greats". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 6 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  36. ↑ Smith, Martin (29 August 2024). "ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM: Seven new faces, Bontempelli captain". Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 14 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Blucher, Peter (24 September 2024). "Brownlow Medal summary". Sydney Swans. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  38. ↑ "Good as Gulden: Swans confirm new deal for young star". AFL. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  39. ↑ "Cups over cash: Swans ready to salary sacrifice for ultimate prize". afl.com.au. 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  40. ↑ "Swans star set for surgery, no timeline for return in cruel blow". afl.com.au. 1 March 2025. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  41. ↑ "Gulden leads Swans to win over Bombers in 100th game". AAP. ESPN. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  42. ↑ "Errol Gulden Injury Update". sydneyswans.com.au. 16 March 2026. Archived from the original on 17 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  43. ↑ "Gulden to return against Lions" (Press release). Sydney Swans. 23 June 2026. Archived from the original on 12 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Errol Gulden". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
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