Sydney Swans star Errol Gulden is set to play his 100th game in Sydney's clash with Essendon on Saturday afternoon.
It's a bright spot in a frustrating year for Gulden, who has played just six games due to an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.
Gulden has emerged as one of the competition's best young talents since debuting in 2021, averaging 25 disposals and five tackles for the Swans and playing in both of the club's AFL grand finals during that time.
“I'm extremely honoured to play my 100th game for this club, and it's slightly tainted with a bit of disappointment lingering from the season overall and last week's result as well,” Gulden said.
“But still, it's a massive achievement and one I'm really proud of.
“I'm going to have heaps of family and friends at the game and hopefully they bring an umbrella or two because I think it's meant to be [grim weather], but I'm super proud.
“Although not the circumstances I'd want, it still doesn't take away from how much of a special achievement it is for me and my family.”
After making the grand final following a dominant home and away season last year, the Swans are all but out of finals contention, sitting three games and percentage outside the top eight with four rounds remaining.
It gives the Swans a chance to try some things before looking to rebound into the top eight in 2026.
“[Coach Dean Cox] has spoken a little bit about testing and trialling a few different things,” Gulden said.
“Whether that's the way we play or players playing in different positions, I think that'll be the two things.
“With the weather, it'll be hard to test the new style of play [this weekend].
“It's a great equaliser, the weather.
“The feeling has been a fair bit of disappointment for the first half of the week, but we spoke about as a group that we can either sit around and sulk or use this four-week block as an opportunity to launchpad into our offseason and preseason and get back to where we want to be next year.”
One new player Sydney fans can look forward to watching is Jesse Dattoli, who is set to make his debut after kicking three goals in each of the last two VFL games and averaging 15 disposals.
He has kicked 15 goals and averaged 13 disposals from nine games at the State League in 2025.
Taken with Pick 22 at the National Draft last year, Gulden said the exciting forward has similar levels of self-confidence he had, which allowed him to impact at the level immediately.
“He'll bring flair,” Gulden said.
“He's a super classy player and he's got something about him, a little bit of spunk.
“You certainly love playing with players who back themselves in, and I'm sure he'll come out here and play his role for the team, but I'm sure he'll do it his way and do it with a bit of flair and confidence.”
At his weekly press conference, Cox poured praise on the influence Gulden has had on the Bloods.
“I think on the field, off the field, he does whatever he possibly can to be the best footballer,” Cox said.
“His preparation for a young player is as good as I've seen.
“He works as hard as the best players do, and that's why he's had so many of those individual achievements in the first part.
“His desire, desperation to come to work, get better [stands out].”
