A diminutive Swan is likely to be rising as the very best hope of finally filling the large boots of Buddy Franklin.
In simply his 63rd recreation, Errol Gulden shone within the moist on Saturday evening because the Swans held off cross-town rivals GWS for an 11-point victory at Giants Stadium.
With 32 disposals, two targets, seven tackles and 5 marks, Gulden walked away with the Brett Kirk Medal for greatest on floor within the newest Sydney Derby.
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In a sometimes tight contest between these rivals, the Swans made probably the most of their alternatives and saved GWS at bay with a 15.6 (96) to 12.13 (85) triumph.
The medal win was simply the newest reward for a teenager who has been incomes plaudits all season lengthy.
“Best kick in the game”, “freak” and “lock for All Australian” are a number of the phrases already used to explain the midfielder in 2023.
And he turned 21 on July 18.
No one is about to fill Franklin’s boots, the famous person retiring final week resulting from a calf harm.
But Gulden is already massively well-liked with the Swans’ fanbase and took his recreation to a brand new degree on Saturday evening.
Twitter person Jordy Breo discovered a brand new solution to describe the skilful Swans Academy product, stating merely: “Errol Gulden isn’t human.”
With the Swans’ season on the road in latest weeks, Gulden has lifted his recreation to new heights, stringing collectively consecutive greatest on floor efforts in wins over Essendon and now GWS.
Sydney has now received 4 straight matches general to take a seat solely share outdoors the highest eight, with video games towards Gold Coast at dwelling and the Crows on the highway within the subsequent two weeks.
“He has covered very blade of grass tonight Errol Gulden,” commentator Kelli Underwood mentioned throughout Saturday evening’s recreation.
“He’s been sensational.”
Saturday loomed as one of many largest Sydney Derbies to this point, with each side having fun with successful streaks and proper within the thick of finals competition.
The Giants had been the most well liked workforce within the league, successful seven straight video games, and Gulden was thrilled with the best way his aspect had performed.
“They’d won seven in a row before this, they’re going really well and have some star players,” he mentioned on Fox Footy.
“It was a slog out there in the second half in particular when the rain came.
“Really proud of the boys, great win in the end.”
About the one criticism of the teenager was his transient acceptance speech when he obtained the Brett Kirk Medal.
Gulden was additionally requested in regards to the Swans’ effort to show their season round, coming off final yr’s thrashing towards Geelong within the AFL grand closing.
“We had a pretty poor start to the year obviously, but we thought we were doing a lot of things right,” he mentioned.
“We’ve had a lot of close games … we know we haven’t been too far off it for most of the year.
“We’ve hit a bit of form which is nice.”
Originally printed as Young star’s large raps as Swans resurgence continues
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
