Talented midfielder shines as Sydney Swans edge out Giants in thrilling Sydney derby at Engie Stadium
Errol Gulden was the best man on the ground as the Sydney Swans continued their red-hot form with a scintillating victory over GWS Giants in the 28th installment of the Sydney derby on Saturday (June 22). The Swans extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 102-75 win at Engie Stadium.
Gulden came up huge with a massive 41 disposals and 12 marks in the 27-point win on Saturday night. The 21-year-old also added a goal, had seven-goal involvements, and 973 meters gained as the Sydney Swans marked their birthday week with a ninth consecutive victory.
The Swans were by far the best Sydney side on the night, and unlike their past four matches where they trailed in the first quarter, took the game by the horn with a three-point advantage heading into the second-quarter-time.
GWS would take the lead when they kicked the first goal of the second period, but this led to an onslaught from Sydney as they scored seven unanswered goals to hold a commanding 40-point advantage at halftime.
The hosts upped their game in the remaining quarters, losing in the third by two points and taking the last quarter by 15 points, but it was insufficient to stop the Swans from recording their best start to a season (13-1) since the 1918 season.
Gulden was awarded the Brett Kirk Medal for his outstanding display. He has now won the accolade for the best man on the ground in the Sydney derby for the third consecutive time, equalling the record of Luke Parker who played no part in the clash due to a suspension.
Sydney Swans forward Joel Amartey kept silent in the Sydney derby
After booting nine goals a week ago against the Adelaide Crows, Sydney Swans forward Joel Amartey failed to replicate his goalscoring brilliance as the Swans defeated the Giants in the Sydney derby.
The league leaders kicked 15 goals and 12 behinds in their 27-point derby victory on Saturday, but Amartey was not on the scoresheet. The 24-year-old was contained by the Giants' key defender Leek Aleer, and could only help his team with one behind and six disposals.
This was the first time since the opening round that the 197cm forward failed to kick a goal. Nevertheless, his below-par performance took the back burner, engulfed by the team's collective effort for a 10th win on the trot.