Sydney young gun Errol Gulden was a clear standout as Sydney accounted for Carlton by 43 points on Friday night at Blacktown.
In the Swans final hitout of the 2023 preseason, Gulden was outstanding with his 45-disposal, three-goal effort leading the Swans to the 15.7 (97) to 7.12 (54) victory.
Both sides made it through the match without any serious injury worries, although Swans ruck Peter Ladhams sent a scare through their camp late in the opening term after suffering a head knock. The 25-year-old returned after quarter time and was another to impress in their final tune up before the season kicks off.
Although he wasn't always perfect with his ball use, the left-footed QBE Sydney Swans Academy product was the standout performer in a match that was often played in rainy conditions and seemed to go through the motions after half time.
Gulden had racked up 26 touches by the main break and worked tirelessly until deep in the fourth quarter, collecting nine clearances and dishing off three direct goal assists among his nine score involvements.
With ruckman Peter Ladhams, who is hungry to take the No.1 mantle while Tom Hickey overcomes a calf injury, bullocking his way to 17 disposals and five clearances, Sydney had the better of a tight midfield battle against a Carlton team missing Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps.
Luke Parker (27) and Chad Warner (24) also had strong nights, while the form of young forward Logan McDonald (10 marks and 12 touches) would put a smile on coach John Longmire's face, as he played the perfect connector between the midfield and forwards.
The Swans kicked seven goals to one in the first term to break the game open, starting with Gulden's 55m bomb that went through half-post high and including a little piece of Lance Franklin brilliance with a clever left foot dribble kick from the pocket.
The superstar forward kicked two for the night ahead of his 19th season.
SYDNEY 7.2 9.3 12.6 15.7 (97)
CARLTON 1.2 4.7 6.7 7.12 (54)
GOALS
Sydney: Gulden 3, Reid 2, McLean 2, Franklin 2, Cunningham 2, Parker, Heeney, Blakey, Campbell
Carlton: Curnow 2, Motlop, Kennedy, Fisher, Acres, Silvagni
BEST
Sydney: Gulden, Ladhams, Parker, Campbell, Blakey, Warner
Carlton: Hewett, Docherty, Curnow, Cerra, Weitering, Acres
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Nil
The Swans will kick off their season in a fortnight's time when they face the Gold Coast Suns in Round One.
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