Errol Gulden: Inside the rise of Sydney Swans wingman to one of AFL’s elite midfielders

How did budding superstar Errol Gulden make it to pick 32 in the 2020 draft? LACHLAN MCKIRDY takes you inside that draft night, Gulden’s next contract and reveals when the endurance machine took it too far.

Errol Gulden AFL liftout feature

Errol Gulden loves to train, that’s no secret.

The Sydney Swans midfielder, fresh off a year where he thrust his name into the conversation as one of the AFL’s elite players, was ready to take it to another level.

Realistically, Gulden didn’t have to change too much. He earned All-Australian status after averaging 26.8 touches and five tackles as he put together one of the best seasons from an out-and-out winger in recent history.

But the impulse to be even better prompted Gulden to push himself to the brink, leading to him being resigned to home rest over January and February.

“I’ve been over it for probably two or three weeks now, but there were a couple of weeks where I was pretty bad,” Gulden said

“I didn’t really train at all. It was fatigue from a few things and a few different viruses. But I kind of pushed it too hard and had to back off for a couple of weeks.

“That probably started when I came back pre-Christmas, stemmed over the Christmas break, and then yeah, just kind of all caught up with me a little bit, to be honest.”

Gulden spent a couple weeks on the periphery of Swans training this pre-season through illness after pushing himself too hard. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While Gulden’s determination to be better than the day before is innate, part of his drive this summer stemmed from a surprise result during the Swans’ December time trial.

Robbie Fox took out the two-kilometre race, followed by Caiden Cleary and Justin McInerney. Gulden, an elite runner who won the time trial at his Academy combine, found himself comfortably outside the top five.

“I was only two seconds off my personal best in December, so I wasn’t that far off,” he said.

“I think I just really wanted to make sure that I didn’t leave any stone unturned until the season started.

“I trained with the boys and we had a really high standard that started before we came back (in January).

“We were training as a group over at Centennial Park and I spent a fair bit of time down in Melbourne with family and my girlfriend so there was a big group of us down there.

“To be honest, everyone was probably a bit dissatisfied with last year and how we kind of went as a team and I think that’s put a bit of fire in the belly for a lot of us. So I’d say those around me motivated me and I just also want to get the best out of myself.”

Gulden returned in January to take out the Swans’ next time trial in a personal best time, blitzing his teammates.

And after his stint on the sidelines, he starred with more than 20 touches in just a half of footy against the Giants in their match simulation.

“I’m feeling good now and feeling back to normal.”

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The idea of sitting at home and putting the feet up doesn’t come naturally to Gulden.

“It was the worst,” he said.

“I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. I got through a few Netflix shows and I was a bit lost after that.”

So what does the viewing history look like for a sports-mad 21-year-old? He loves his documentaries, as was made clear by his Johnny Manziel-inspired celebration alongside good mate Chad Warner against the Suns last year.

But in reality, he found himself drifting in a different direction.

“I actually got more into history and politics,” Gulden admitted.

“I’ve been loving a few different things including the Nemesis show which follows the past three prime ministers.

“I got into that then also a bit of World Ward Two stuff.”

The Sydney youngster doesn’t want to spend anymore time sitting on the sidelines than he has to. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s part of a concerted effort by Gulden to create more separation with his footy life. He would regularly find himself watching every game of a round at home, but now he prioritises intensive study periods when he’s in at Swans HQ.

“You can see the behind-the-goals vision and there’s no commentary, you can watch the game unfold a bit better,” Gulden said.

“It’s been a big thing for me, focusing when I come into the club and switching off when I go home.”

Students of the game don’t come more industrious than Gulden. He’s the first in and last out at most training sessions and can often be seen chewing John Longmire’s ear off.

It’s an attitude he has always applied to footy and it has increased exponentially since playing in the AFL.

He also inherently has a point to prove.

Gulden slipped to pick 32 during the 2020 AFL draft, with the Swans narrowly able to match a bid by Geelong for their Academy player after prioritising Braeden Campbell earlier in the night.

The 21-year-old is always searching for ways to make himself, and his teammates, better. Picture: Phil Hillyard

This masthead understands several clubs, including Melbourne — who Gulden will take on this Thursday — were told it was worth the risk to select him and force the Swans’ hand. However, concerns were raised over his size and Sydney ended up with a player who would become the youngest in 43 years to win its best and fairest award, the Bob Skilton Medal.

But team success remains Gulden’s modus operandi.

If he can contribute to that, then he knows he’s done his job.

“I think naturally you want to know what’s next and keep pushing yourself and keep improving,” Gulden said.

“I’m obviously very grateful to have my name up with some of the greats of the club in terms of winning a Bob Skilton Medal. I was super proud of what I was able to do.

“But I think ultimately football is a team game and to not kind of achieve the success that we wanted as a team last year, kind of diminished it a little bit.

“But that’s fine because that’s why I play football. I don’t play football for individual accolades or achievements, I play because I want to win a premiership with this club.”

Gulden has quickly emerged as the Swans most important player just four years into his AFL career. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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Gulden has gone from an unlikely bolter in a Brownlow Medal count to one of the favourites to win the award in 2024.

It’s added pressure for the 21-year-old as he prepares to play a big role in what the Swans hope will be a premiership charge. However, the greatest pressure will still come from within.

“I think it means you’re doing some things right if you have a bit more pressure on you,” Gulden said.

“I’ve always had pretty high expectations of myself and they’re probably higher than anyone’s expectations that they’ll have on me.”

The early signs are that it will be more of the same output from him this year.

Despite potential changes to the Swans’ midfield, Gulden made the wing role his own last season and believes the flexibility to impact the game across the ground brings the best out of him.

“I don’t think I necessarily have a preferred position but yeah, I do enjoy those games where I can float through pretty much anywhere,” he said.

The speed and athleticism of Gulden make him a handful all across the field. Picture: Phil Hillyard

There’s even more on the line with Gulden coming off contract for just the second time of his career.

He’s arguably the most exciting player without a deal for 2025 and beyond, but just talking to Gulden it’s clear he is Sydney through and through.

In a brief 10-minute conversation, he regularly refers to the Bloods culture.

He also knows better than most the history of the club, striking up a strong friendship with former Swan, John Heriot, who also proudly wore the number 21.

“He calls me two or three times during the season and we’ll just chat,” Gulden said.

“Then I’ll probably catch up with him another two or three times in person as well.

“It’s a very important part of being at this club understanding the history. We’ve got a lot of guys in our coaching staff here, in particular (Brett) Kirky and he’s massive on knowing our history and knowing where we came from.

“I’m under no illusions that it wasn’t always as luxurious and as pretty as it is today in this amazing building. There’s a lot of people that put in a lot of hard yards and without them the club wouldn’t exist today, let alone be in the position that we’re in.”

Gulden and the Swans are progressing well in their talks for a new, long-term deal. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Gulden is likely to be one of the major beneficiaries of that position when his new deal is finalised and makes him one of the highest-paid players at the club.

This masthead understands a strong, multi-year deal has been put to the player and his management with negotiations still ongoing.

From Gulden’s perspective, his love for the club is as strong as ever. And if he does take his footy to a new level in 2024, the Swans would consider any contract with the local-product’s signature, regardless of value, an absolute bargain.

“I really enjoyed the first three years of my career and it’s not lost to me how grateful I am and how lucky I am to be playing football for a living,” Gulden said.

“Hopefully, I can kind of keep a bit of perspective in terms of how good I’ve got it and love coming in here every day.

“I’ve only had one contract. So I can’t say it’s always what I’ve done. But I think there’s people that do that and that’s my manager’s job to work through that and my job is to play football.

“I’m very happy with how things are and how things are tracking and we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Originally published as Errol Gulden: Inside the rise of Sydney Swans wingman to one of AFL’s elite midfielders