Ugle-Hagan locked in for first game since 2024

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will play his first game in nearly 18 months when he runs out for Gold Coast on Thursday night.

The Suns medical team has been in regular contact with the AFL over Ugle-Hagan’s return to play plan, with the club given the green light to bring the forward into match play.

The former No.1 draft pick took indefinite leave from the Western Bulldogs last April and checked into a Byron Bay health retreat, admitting he’d had suicidal thoughts throughout 2025.

He had been under the AFL’s mental health plan since stepping away from the game.

But Ugle-Hagan has not put a foot wrong since Gold Coast gave him a second chance in last year’s trade period, impressing teammates and staff with his attitude to training.

After initially moving in with Gold Coast’s indigenous programs lead and former player Jarrod Harbrow, Ugle-Hagan is said to have moved out with his partner Olivia Kelly and is in a good space.

It’s unclear how much game time Ugle-Hagan will see against St Kilda at People First Stadium on Thursday night, but the Suns are mindful that he is coming from a long way back.

Should he recapture the form and fitness he had at the Dogs in 2024, Ugle-Hagan could pose an enormous threat alongside Ben King and potentially, Jed Walter, in 2026.