Each week we will do a deep dive into a player that had a strong performance in the previous round. The player may not have had the top score of the weekend but a solid outing nonetheless. I’ll look to cover the previous rounds performance, outlook for the season ahead, outlook for 2024 and beyond and my recommendation for this player. Let us know your thoughts on who we have down below on all of our social channels: twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
Player of the Week
Player Name: Errol Gulden Age: 20 Club: Sydney Swans Position: Forward Preseason Score: 216 2022 Ave Score: 100 2022 Positional Rank: 9th 2022 Overall Rank: 39th
Preseason Performance
It truly is borderline impossible to emphasise the magnitude of Errol Gulden's performance in Sydney's preseason game against Carlton with just words, but i'll try! 45 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 3 goals, 9 clearances, 3 free-kicks for, 9 score-involvements, for a new GameDay Squad Aussie Rules single game scoring record! Of course, the 216 came from a preseason game so it doesn't technically count, but it's the biggest score we have seen on the platform, regardless of what period of the season it came in, its incredibly impressive!
2023 Outlook
Once we have collectively decided we can pick our jaws up from the floor after that performance we might be able to sit down and make a calculated decision on how Gulden may fare throughout the 2023 season. I think a key piece of information that is understandably getting forgotten about is the fact that Errol Gulden is still just 20-years-old, so naturally, there is going to be a natural variance in his scoring, at least in the immediate future. In saying that though, I do think we can expect around the same production he gave us in 2022. It would be foolish to predict any form of regression, if he can match his 2022 average of 100 GDS fantasy points, or maybe even add a few points to it, you'll find Gulden hovering around that 10th-8th ranked forwards area come the end of the season.
GDS Dynasty Ranking
I think that 2023 will be the year we see Gulden at the same table as the likes of Sam Walsh, Bailey Smith and Nick Daicos. I truly think Gulden will be that good! Especially considering he's still younger than those three. Beyond 2023, Gulden might just be a top 3 dynasty player in the league right now. The way his role is progressing we could be about to see a big up tick in centre bounce attendances as early as the back end of 2023, but I think the way he gets forward will allow him to retain his forward status for a while at least. Gulden is a player that has obviously shown he can score gargantuan scores, highlighted by his 216 score in the 2023 preseason but his 2022 highest score of 184 points in round 20 against his cross town rivals in Greater Western Sydney proves that his ceiling isn't just a flash in the pan. His high level scoring will become more consistent as he matures and expands his role, which for me paired with his scoring ceiling, makes him a top 3 dynasty player today.
Kerm's Call
Errol Gulden is green, which I think is a fair statement to make given he's still just 20-years-old, with that I think comes a level of boom-or-bust scoring, which I think some teams out there can afford to take the risk on! Gulden should be viewed as a F3-F4 type forward going into round one of the 2023 AFL season, so a little bit of boom-or-bust might not be the worst thing to game-plan for! All things considered, he's a player you absolutely want to get your hands on if you haven't already got him, Gulden is going to be an immense presence in fantasy Aussie Rules for probably the next decade and beyond! So, go out and find him! Hold him close to you, and just enjoy the Errol Gulden ride.