IN the build up to football eventually returning, Draft Central  takes a look at some of this year’s brightest names who have already represented their state at Under 17 or Under 18s level in 2019. While plenty can change between now and then, we will provide a bit of an insight into players, how they performed at pre-season testing, and some of our scouting notes on them from last year.

Next under the microscope in our AFL Draft watch is Sydney Swans Academy product Errol Gulden, a crafty outside midfielder/forward who has proven a perennial headache for opposition defenders. The diminutive 172cm speedster has already represented the Allies at Under 18 level, running out for all four games in last year’s national carnival. The feat came after donning NSW/ACT colours for its Under 17 side and earning the 2018 Under 16 Division 2 MVP award. Gulden also shone alongside Swans teammate Braeden Campbell in the 2019 Under 17 All Stars clash, with the pair sure to transition together into the elite level.

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PLAYER PAGE:

Errol Gulden
Sydney Swans Academy/Allies

DOB: July 18, 2002

Height: 172cm
Weight: 68kg

Position: Outside midfielder/half-forward

Strengths:Speed/agility, smarts, vision, impact, accumulation
Improvements: Inside game, decision making consistency

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PRESEASON TESTING HIGHLIGHTS:

Did not test.

>> Full Testing Results:
Jumps
20m Sprint
Agility
Yo-yo

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2019 STATISTICS:

NAB League: 3 games | 27.3 disposals | 63.9% uncontested possessions | 6.0 marks | 2.0 tackles | 2.0 clearances | 8 inside 50s | 2.6 rebound 50s | 1.3 goals (4)

Under 18 National Championships: 4 games | 15.0 disposals | 69% uncontested possessions | 2.8 marks | 2.5 tackles | 0.5 clearances | 3.8 inside 50s | 0.8 goals (3)

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2019 SCOUTING NOTES:

Under 17 Futures All Stars

By: Peter Williams

His side’s best despite the loss, and the Sydney Swans fans would be pumped to see both him and Campbell playing well on the MCG. After a quieter first term by his standards often opposed to Eddie Ford at stoppages, he really got going and was crucial in getting his side back into the contest in the second term.

Kicked the easiest of goals over the back in the second term running into the square with space behind him, and looked composed in his movements in close. He sidesteps opponents with ease and gets his hands free time and time again, showing good core strength to stand up in tackles. Just a really clean player who when he gets going adds that touch of class to any side and is hard to stop.

Under 17 Futures vs. Vic Country

By: Michael Alvaro

Came into the side after missing the annual clash against Queensland on the Gold Coast, shaking off some early cobwebs to showcase his talent. Positioned on his customary wing, Gulden continually used his innate ability to find space of the outside to send the Rams forward, getting on the move and piercing some classy passes along the line.

The promising Swans Academy prospect was usually composed with ball in hand, using his agility to prop into space and find a target as he lowered his eyes – a valuable point of difference to many U18 players. While he was almost found out with some kicks across attacking 50 and passes which proved a little too cute, Gulden’s skills were typically fantastic and he makes the play come alive.

Under 18 National Championships vs. South Australia

By: Michael Alvaro

The bottom-aged Sydney Academy member was again impressive, buzzing around the forward half and proving damaging as he wheeled craftily onto his left side. He started in ideal fashion with a well-read crumb off hands inside 50 and clinical finish for his side’s first and only goal in the opening term.

While his spearing passes on the left look good when they come off, Gulden has a tendency to look for those low-percentage kicks across the 50 arc and did turn one over in this game. He can pick his shots better, but is so damaging when he hits them and you would not want to smother his natural talent. Finished with 14 disposals (12 uncontested).

Under 18 National Championships vs. Vic Metro

By: Michael Alvaro

Swans fans will be pretty pleased with what their 2020 Academy prospect has shown to date, and this was another great performance on the big stage. Playing off the half-forward flank and up onto a wing, Gulden was a constant threat moving forward when wheeling around onto his trusty left boot. He always looked to create and showed crafty vision with his passes inside 50 to find teammates on multiple occasions.

Gulden was as clean as anyone at ground level and it proved a telling trait as he delivered so effectively in space around the arc. Gulden’s willingness to opt for high-risk/high-reward kicks and ability to make them work more often than not made him a game-changer, topping off his contribution with two goals in the third term. His first was a real highlight, turning his opponent with great agility and finishing clinically on the left from just inside 50. One of the best for next year’s crop.

NAB League Round 4 vs. Sandringham

By: Alex Gibson

One to watch for 2020. Sandringham had no response to the silky bottom ager who collected 26 disposals in a best-on ground performance. Kicking two goals from the wing, Gulden’s left foot was seriously damaging and was often the man trusted with kicking the ball inside 50 due to his ability to hit a target. Sydney may just have themselves another Heeney or Mills here.

NAB League Round 2 vs. Tasmania

By: Matthew Cocks

The bottom-ager’s performance was hard to fault. Gulden found a way to create his own time and space playing predominantly on the wing and through the midfield. Collecting plenty of the ball (33 disposals in total), Gulden was a key cog in setting the Swans up to attack. His two goals in the first half capped off an impressive best-on-ground performance.

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>> Sydney Swans Academy Content

>> Marquee Matchup: Errol Gulden vs. Jake Bowey

>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES

Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Jackson Callow
Braeden Campbell
Oliver Davis

South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Luke Edwards
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe

Vic Country:
Sam Berry
Jack Ginnivan
Nick Stevens
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Vic Metro:
Jackson Cardillo
Nikolas Cox
Connor Downie
Reef McInnes
Archie Perkins

Western Australia:
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Joel Western