ERROL Gulden has likened Charlie Curnow's impact at Sydney to that of AFL legend Lance Franklin ahead of a blockbuster grudge match against Carlton.
Curnow has already made his presence felt at his new home, with Gulden describing the former Blues spearhead as nothing short of demanding.
The two-time Coleman Medal winner looms as Franklin's heir apparent in Sydney's bid to return to the top order next season, adding much-needed firepower to Dean Cox's side.
Desperate to find a proven goalkicker after a sub-par finish in 10th this year, the Swans had given away Will Hayward to snare Curnow.
The Blues also received winger Ollie Florent in a separate trade.
Hayward finished with 29 goals from 21 games for the Swans this year, second to star midfielder Isaac Heeney (37).
Curnow, whose season ended early after undergoing surgery to clean up a knee issue, kicked 32 goals across 18 games.
Following in the footsteps of Franklin and Barry Hall in landing at the Swans, Curnow will kick off the 2026 campaign facing his former side Carlton in the March 4 season-opener at the SCG.
So impressed has Gulden been with Curnow's early pre-season showing that he predicts a "four-headed monster" with fellow key forwards Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean.
"He's just come in and he's telling us what he wants, which is something pretty new," Gulden said.
"Like where he wants the ball to go, and how he wants us to play and deliver the ball.
"Similar to Lance, he's just a massive presence and he's a pretty big unit, so seeing him come out of the square is pretty good.
"We're going to have, hopefully, a four-headed monster down there with the key forwards we've got."
Gulden is tipping a fit-again McDonald to remind the competition of his quality alongside Curnow.
McDonald did not feature last season after twice undergoing surgery.
The 23-year-old went under the knife in May due to a stress fracture in his fibula, after an off-season ankle operation.
"He's been flying," Gulden said of McDonald.
"There hasn't been much spoken about him, but I'm pretty happy for him to keep it that way because he'll be a bit of a secret weapon for us this year.
"People will forget with him not playing any footy last year how much of a weapon he is for us.
"Having Charlie here, it's going to help him out too.
"I'm really bullish on what he's going to do next season."
Gulden is already looking forward to reuniting with Hayward and Florent on the field after travelling together to South America in the off-season.
"It was always going to happen, wasn't it?" Gulden said of the Opening Round clash.
"To play against Will and Ollie first-up will be interesting.
"We'll be digging into the files for a few funny stories."