Sydney Swans hope record West Coast win can reignite season

Sydney winger Errol Gulden feels like the Swans have turned the corner as they attempt to claw their way back into the top eight – starting with a change of attitude at training.

Errol Gulden poses after winning the best on ground award.

The Swans sent a message to the rest of the competition with their record win over West Coast that last year’s grand finalists are still in the hunt for a top-eight finish.

It was Sydney’s best performance of the season and it came on the back of their most promising block of training for 2023.

There was a sense of complacency that snuck into the side with several close losses and an ever-growing injury list, but they produced two of their best showings of the year against Brisbane and then West Coast.

“One thing we’ve recognised is training standards dropped off a bit,” said three-goal star Errol Gulden.

“We’ve had a big focus in the last couple of weeks of just going one week at a time.

“So we need to focus on making sure we’re getting our training right, focusing on every game. It’s cliche, but it’s what you’ve got to do.”

Errol Gulden says the Swans have stepped up their training efforts after a slow start to 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard

There was a clear desire from the Swans to put the Eagles to the sword.

If they want to play finals this season, nearly everything will have to go their way, and the percentage boost on Saturday night was just the start.

They were lethal with their inside-50s and Gulden and his former Swans Academy teammate Braeden Campbell were at the heart of that efficiency, finishing with a combined six goal assists.

If they can keep giving their forwards service of that quality, they know it will go a long way to playing in September.

“The focus was to put the foot on the throat early,” Gulden said.

“They (forwards) haven’t been performing to their best this year, but that’s on us as mids and our delivery inside 50 has been pretty bad at times.

“That’s something we’re working on as a team, that connection piece. We got a bit of reward for our hard work tonight (Saturday).”

Braeden Campbell found plenty of room to run at the SCG against the Eagles. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While he admits Campbell has the better boot – “he can kick the ball a mile” – Gulden has been one of the shining lights for Sydney this season.

Australian Crawl’s 1981 hit ‘Oh Errol’ has become a staple for the SCG DJ and the win against the Eagles was no different.

Gulden finished with three goals and 32 disposals, winning the Gun Shell Gallantry Trophy for best on ground.

The 20-year-old is averaging 25 touches and nearly five tackles a game in 2023, as he benefits from having the room to roam on the wing in Sydney’s side, and has put himself very much in the All-Australian conversation.

“I’ve been happy so far,” said Gulden. “But it’s obviously with a grain of salt, not winning as many games of footy as we’d like.

“It takes a bit of my focus off of it. But I’ve had a bit more time playing up the ground in midfield, so that contributes to it as well.

“But as long as we’re winning games, I’m happy.”

Errol Gulden is in the mix for an All-Australian spot on the wing. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Gulden is from a footy family. His brother, Adam, has played at VFL level while his mum Bronwyn has been a coach for the Swans’ AFLW and Academy sides.

It means he lives and breathes the sport, a trait that hasn’t been lost on his coach.

“He works really hard at his game, as hard as any player on our list,” John Longmire said. “And he gets reward for that.

“He’s had an outstanding year. He had a great year last year. And he’s building, he’s started his career strongly.”

The next challenge for the Swans is a grand final rematch against the Cats on Friday. They’ve lost their past two matches against Geelong by a combined 172 points.

Righting that wrong is set to be a completely different challenge from what they faced against West Coast.

“Geelong are an amazing team and we’ve had a couple of really disappointing results against them,” Gulden said.

“Our focus will turn to that and I’m really looking forward to it.”