Swans star Errol Gulden admits this week’s blockbuster Sydney derby against fellow flag contender GWS will have more feeling in it than a regular match.
With the Swans and Giants sitting second and third on the ladder respectively, Saturday’s Battle of the Bridge at the SCG between the cross-town rivals is the most anticipated between the clubs in some time.
Star GWS defender Sam Taylor poured more fuel on the fire this week in delivering a couple of a barbs to the Swans, saying there’s “a lot of dislike” once the sides take the field, referencing a pre-season game when Sydney was “chirpy” and “a bit smug.”
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Asked about Taylor’s comments on Fox Sports’ The Back Page, Gulden said: “It’s probably not that far from being true to be honest! We definitely have a few boys who are pretty chirpy up the field.
“But I think it’s great. Obviously it’s a massive game and the more attention we can get for footy in New South Wales is a good thing.
“It definitely has a bit more in it than a normal game. I don’t know if we want to build it up too much. We do treat it just like any other game, but you definitely want to have the wood over them.”
Sydney goes into the game in red-hot form, having won its last three games by an average of 51 points including thrashing Hawthorn by 76 points last weekend to improve to 6-1 overall.
And Gulden, off the back of a career-best 2023 season where he claimed maiden All-Australian and best and fairest honours and finished equal fourth in the Brownlow Medal, has continued his rich vein of form.
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The 21-year old has averaged 25.6 disposals with six inside 50s per game and ranks third in the competition in goal assists, third in score involvements and ranks fourth in metres gained.
It saw rival clubs come hard for the Swans Academy graduate, with Gulden confirming on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he was offered a 10-year contract by a rival club before he signed a four-year extension with Sydney until 2028.
Gulden said the “chance to win a premiership” at the Swans and his loyalty to his home city were key reasons he turned his back on lucrative offers elsewhere.
“I’ve been in and around the Academy and the club since I was nine or 10 and went to school 10 minutes from the footy club,” Gulden added.
“Just personally couldn’t see myself going anywhere at the moment. I think we’re in a really good period with a really strong list.
“We’re still quite a young list — I think we’re fifth or sixth youngest in the comp — we’re starting to play a lot of games of footy together, which is generally a pretty good indicator for successful teams.
“We’re pretty solid all over the field. The next few years can be quite special for us if we keep working hard.”
Source Agencies
