Sydney Swans rising star Errol Gulden says his mum is happily leaving the coaching duties to John Longmire despite joining the club's ranks as an AFLW assistant coach.
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Gulden was coached by his mum Bronwyn Gulden at the Maroubra Saints during his junior years, and he has since developed into one of the AFL's hottest young talents.
The 20-year-old tallied 33 disposals and two goals in last week's 73-point demolition of GWS, and he looms as a key cog in Sydney's bid to win this year's flag.
Making his story even more special is the fact his mum is now at the club after she was appointed as a defensive coach for the new AFLW team.
Errol is thrilled to have his mum as part of the Swans' set up, but said she was happy to take a back seat when it comes to his own game.
"She's pretty good. She leaves it to the coaches I've got here," Gulden said.
"She played a massive role in my pathway to the AFL. She did coach me a fair bit at my local club Maroubra Saints.
"I definitely took a lot from my mum coaching me and the tips she gave me.
"But now I'm on the list, she takes a bit of a back seat and is there to support me more than anything."
The Swans have won their past four matches to move into fourth spot, and they'll start as hot favourites against the last-placed Kangaroos in Sunday's clash at Marvel Stadium.
Sydney loom as a smokey for this year's flag, but Gulden isn't getting too carried away just yet.
"It's definitely the reason why you play footy, to have a crack at the flag every year," he said.
"We are looking to play finals ... everyone wants to play in the big games and win flags. We're kind of in the conversation.
"But we've still got three more games before we even talk about finals."
With the likes of Josh Kennedy, Logan McDonald, Braeden Campbell, Peter Ladhams, and Harry Cunningham trying to break back into the team, Gulden said competition for spots was driving everyone to be at their best.
Gulden, who rose through the ranks at the Swans' academy, enjoyed a breakout debut campaign last season playing predominantly as a small forward.
He has taken his game to an even higher level this year alternating between the wing and half-forward.
Australian Associated Press
