Errol Gulden

Errol Gulden was born on July 18, 2002, in Sydney, New South Wales, and began playing junior Australian rules football for the Maroubra Saints Junior Football Club at the age of four. Initially having a passion for soccer, he was identified by Sydney Swans talent scouts and joined the QBE Sydney Swans Academy at 11 years old. His early football career included being named in the NSW independent schools team in 2017 and earning an Under 16s All-Australian selection in 2018, where he was also recognized as the team’s most valuable player. He played a total of 33 games for the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs from 2018 to 2020, achieving ‘best on ground’ honors in their 2019 premiership win over Sydney University.

Gulden was recruited by the Sydney Swans as the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 AFL draft. He made his senior debut in Round 1 of the 2021 AFL season against the Brisbane Lions, delivering a notable performance with 19 disposals and three goals, which earned him a NAB Rising Star nomination. That year, he also received the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player award and the club’s Rising Star Award. He continued to build on this foundation, playing 15 games and kicking 12 goals, contributing to the Swans’ return to the finals.

His career saw significant progression in 2023, where he was named an All-Australian and finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal count with 27 votes, marking the most votes polled by a Swan in a season since 1940. He also secured the Bob Skilton Medal as the club’s best and fairest player. Gulden signed a four-year contract extension with the Swans, crediting Liverpool FC legend Steven Gerrard as an inspiration. In 2024, he earned another All-Australian selection, averaging 27.1 disposals and 5.6 marks, and placed second in the Bob Skilton Medal. Despite fracturing his ankle in the 2025 preseason, sidelining him for the first half of the year, he returned in Round 15 to continue his contributions to the team.