The Sydney Swans have finished their pre-season campaign with two victories ahead of the 2025 AFL Premiership season. After a win over the GWS Giants at Tramway Oval last Friday the squad managed to back up their performance with a 21-point win over the Gold Coast SUNS. 

Sydney however has been dealt a huge blow ahead of Opening Round, with midfield ace Errol Gulden suffering what appears to be a serious ankle injury against Gold Coast.

06:56

AAMI Match Highlights: Gold Coast v Sydney

The Suns and Swans clash in the AAMI Community Series

On a Friday night of injury mayhem at People First Stadium, the Suns lost Mac Andrew (chest) inside 10 seconds, along with Charlie Ballard (ankle), David Swallow (knee) and Lachie Weller (hamstring tightness).

All eyes will be on Gulden over the coming days after his left ankle got caught under a Will Graham tackle in the opening quarter of the 12.12 (84) to 8.15 (63) win.

The two-time All-Australian was helped from the field in obvious pain and did not return before immediately heading off to a Gold Coast hospital for scans.

Sydney hosts Hawthorn next Friday night at the SCG to open its season.

00:45

Corey Warner finishes off goal after slick Florent handball

Corey Warner scores a major in the Swans AAMI Community Series clash with Gold Coast

The Suns have plenty of their own worries, with Andrew coming off second best in a collision with Taylor Adams in the opening seconds. Although he passed a concussion test, the exciting young defender did not return to the field.

In a game it was already missing stars Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Tom Papley and Callum Mills among many others, the Swans could hardly have impressed more.

Tom McCartin made a superb fist of his move forward, kicking four goals from 14 disposals and had the better of his battle with Sam Collins.

McCartin worked hard up the ground, was strong in the air (seven marks) and was dangerous when the ball hit the ground.

The Swans kicked the game’s first four goals and looked a step too quick for the hosts in the opening 15 minutes and then steadied in the final term after Gold Coast got within five points.

00:29

Swans go end to end as McCartin nails a third

Tom McCartin looks right at home up forward as he slots his third major of the night

Matt Roberts (27 disposals) used the ball with precision, while no-frills midfielders James Jordon and James Rowbottom also had strong outings.

Gold Coast got good performances from new recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble, along with a strong showing from Weller before he was benched, but made it hard for their forwards with some sloppy entries inside 50.

05:03

AAMI Community Series post-match: Mark McVeigh

Watch Sydney’s press conference after their practice match against Gold Coast

New faces
Gold Coast’s off-season recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble were highly involved from half-back. Noble (26 disposals) built on his outings against Brisbane and Collingwood last week, while Rioli (24) dusted off the rust from an interrupted pre-season. Elliott Himmelberg played forward in the second half as the Suns were down a couple of talls, while Ben Jepson backed up after playing three quarters in the VFL earlier in the day. For the Swans, Ben Paton did a solid job at half-back following his move from St Kilda, quietening Gold Coast’s medium forwards. Draftees Riley Bice (14) and Riak Andrew, the younger brother of Mac, had some nice moments, with the latter gathering four intercept possessions in a promising half of action.

Round one chance
With Jed Walter missing Opening Round through suspension, teenager Lachlan Gulbin was played in the Suns’ forward line. He had a quiet night, but had some nice moments, and isn’t without a shot of being the youngest Sun to play an AFL game next week. Joel Jeffrey impressed in defence with 28 touches and would be at the head of the queue if Mac Andrew is to miss, while Connor Budarick also did some nice things. Paton was excellent for the Swans, while the move of Sam Wicks to defence paid dividends, using his speed to break the game open on multiple occasions.

GOLD COAST             3.1       5.6       5.12     8.15 (63)
SYDNEY                     4.5       7.7       9.10     12.12 (84)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Clohesy 2, Ainsworth 2, Weller, King, Budarick, Anderson
Sydney: McCartin 4, Amartey 2, Wicks, Warner, Lloyd, Jordon, Hanily, Gulden

BEST
Gold Coast: Anderson, Weller, Rowell, Jeffrey, Noble, Ainsworth
Sydney: Roberts, McCartin, Jordon, Rowbottom, Francis, Sheldrick

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Andrew (chest), Ballard (ankle), Swallow (knee)
Sydney: Gulden (ankle)