Sydney Swans star Errol Gulden set to miss majority of AFL season after being sent for shoulder surgery

Sydney star Errol Gulden is set to miss the majority of the AFL season after being sent for surgery on a dislocated shoulder.

Gulden suffered the injury after hitting the ground hard in a Lincoln McCarthy tackle during the fourth quarter of the Swans’ impressive 44-point win over reigning premiers Brisbane at the SCG on Saturday night.

On Monday, the club confirmed he would have his shoulder operated on and will be sidelined for around four months, meaning he could return for a possible tilt at the finals if his recovery and his side’s season goes according to plan.

Sydney — the early ladder-leaders ahead of Gold Coast and Western Bulldogs — will come up against Hawthorn in the first game of round two on Thursday night before having a bye in round three, after which they will head to Optus Stadium to take on West Coast.

The Swans will play Fremantle in round 18, which shapes as a possible return date for Gulden if his recovery runs in accordance with the early timeline.

The brilliant midfielder also lost much of his 2025 season to an injury concern, suffering a pre-season syndesmosis injury he only made a return from in round 16.

He had made an outstanding start to the 2026 campaign, winning 27 disposals in a best-afield performance as his side defeated Carlton in Opening Round and backing up with another 20 to go with a goal against the Lions.

WA’s Corey Warner — the brother of Sydney superstar Chad who played 14 games for Sydney in 2025 — has been on the outer for the first two games of the new season and shapes as a possible replacement for Gulden.

The Swans are also sweating on the fitness of another of their stars in Isaac Heeney, who was held out of the latter stages of the game after reporting hamstring tightness.