AS SYDNEY settles into life with its first AFLW team, it has become the ultimate family club, largely by design. 

Boasting three sets of siblings across its women's and men's programs, the Swans have also become the first club to enjoy a mother-son connection in an official capacity. Bron Gulden, mother of Errol from the AFL team, and Adam from the VFL side, has come on board as the defensive assistant coach of the AFLW team. 

Described by head coach Scott Gowans as "a very experienced coach in her own right," Gulden has been coaching at the club's Girls Academy and within the state's premier division with UNSW-ES for several years, honing her craft and integrating into the Swans' culture. Also being the mother of two players was just an added benefit. 

"It was probably right place right time," Gulden told womens.afl.  

"It was always probably a dream in the back of my mind, but my coaching has always just been about, I guess, with the Academy, about what you can do to help improve the players there and it's just been a steppingstone. And yeah, as the opportunities have opened up, I've been really lucky, I guess that I've had the right experience at the right time." 

Bron Gulden in action at a Sydney training on July 11, 2022. Picture: Phil Hillyard

For Errol, who grew up aware of his mum's love for footy but lack of playing opportunities, there is a satisfaction in seeing her step into the spotlight within his own club, even if it does mean her fussing over his collar before jumping in front of a camera every now and again. 

"I'm obviously very excited for her. And, you know, my mum didn't get as many opportunities when she was younger to be able to play the game and coach the game," he said.  

"I think it's really awesome that she's getting those opportunities now and to have her at the same club as me, it's unbelievable." 

A Polaroid picture of Bron (left) and Errol Gulden at Sydney training on July 11, 2022. Picture: Gemma Bastiani

While recruiting the right people is first and foremost based on the right person for the job – the right experience, talent, and character – the decision to bring family groups on board was a specific one for the Swans. 

"Part of our development when we first sat down and got the whiteboard out was to have siblings or to have groups and clusters of players from clubs, rather than just pick one player from here, one player from there," Gowans said.  

"It was a deliberate pathway to getting the squad and the staff together as well, to have those connections." 

A Polaroid picture of Alexia (left) and Cynthia Hamilton at Sydney training on July 11, 2022. Picture: Gemma Bastiani

The Hamiltons are another family connection at the club, with Gowans targeting older sister Lexi via expansion and ultimately reuniting the locals via the draft, while Cynthia was taken with pick No.11.

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In the men's program Paddy McCartin's return to footy has largely been supported by younger brother Tom at the Swans where they have become a formidable key defensive pairing. Meanwhile midfielder Chad Warner's younger brother Corey was drafted by the club late last year and has been honing his craft at state level. 

A Polaroid picture of Tom (left) and Paddy McCartin at Sydney training on July 11, 2022. Picture: Gemma Bastiani

At a club that is famous for its culture, the drawcard for prospective players and staff, all these recruiting decisions have played a big hand. 

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"It's obviously got a real family feel about and I think it definitely does impact the culture," Errol Gulden said. 

"The club's been really big on that we are one club. It's not the men's and the women's, it's the Sydney Swans."