AFL Draft: Maroubra Saints, UNSW Bulldogs teen Errol Gulden stays with Sydney Swan

The greatest moment of art student Errol Gulden’s life was when he discovered at age six you can “do AFL as a job”. That moment has now been eclipsed.

Errol Gulden has been dreaming about playing AFL professionally for years - and now he will be.

At the age of six Errol Gulden would march to swimming to the Sydney Swans tune.

Now he will be playing to it.

The Maroubra Saints, UNSW Bulldogs and Swans Academy product has been nabbed by the club in the AFL draft alongside great mate Braeden Campbell and Western Australian 18-year-old Logan McDonald.

From an AFL loving family, the Randwick university student, who is doing an arts degree, grew up wanting to play the sport and to become a big part of the code.

Errol Gulden tackles Will Day in an Allies match against South Australia.

“The greatest day of my life was when I found out you could do AFL as a job when I was six, maybe seven,’’ Gulden said.

“I’ve always loved it.

“When I used to go to swimming, apparently, I would be singing the Swans theme song the entire time. I would wear my football jersey for every game.’’

A long standing member of the Swans Academy, Gulden has also been with the UNSW Bulldogs from the under 16.

“The Swans have shaped the footballer I am, there’s no chance I would be the footballer I am without them,’’ he said.

Errol Gulden is a former NewsLocal junior sports star nominee.

Gulden and Campbell are best friends, having spent years together at the Swans Academy.

“He is one of my best mates. To go through it with each other is great,’’ he said.

“We keep each other pretty grounded. We have played a lot of rep footy together. We were often the only NSW guys there.’’

Gulden is a midfielder/forward whose speed and agility has turned heads over the years.

He has competed for NSW/ACT in the under 17s and shared the under 16 division MVP award.

The Swans in action against a high-flying Patrick Dangerfield.

“We’re delighted to bring in three players of the calibre of Logan, Braeden and Errol. All three are elite talents and quality young men,” Swans executive GM, Charlie Gardiner said.

“Braeden and Errol are both products of our Academy and we’re excited to be able see them continue their AFL journey at the Swans.’’

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