Jamarra Ugle-Hagan named to make Gold Coast debut nearly 600 days after last AFL appearance
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will make his debut for Gold Coast on Anzac Day against Hawthorn, the club has confirmed.
It will be his first AFL game in 596 days, after sitting out the 2025 season battling mental health and off-field issues.
He last played in the 2024 elimination final for the Western Bulldogs.
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Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Suns celebrates a goal during pre-season. AFL Photos via Getty Images
He spent most of 2025 away from the club, and revealed he spent time in a mental health facility.
At the end of the 2025 season, he was traded from the Dogs to the Suns for pick 74, showing just how far he had fallen after being the no.1 pick in the 2020 draft.
He joined Gold Coast and got his fresh start, but the club has taken their time getting him ready to return.
Ugle-Hagan has quickly found form at VFL level, kicking five goals against Essendon in his most recent appearance.
And on Thursday, Suns coach Damien Hardwick confirmed he would make his club debut.
"We told Jamarra in front of the playing group this morning, and I'm not going to lie, there was a tear from player and probably the coach as well," Hardwick told reporters.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Suns. Getty
"It's an incredible story, it's been 596 days since his last AFL game. He's done a power of work for us, we've made him earn it and we've been so impressed by what he's brought.
"A lot of people have done a lot of work with Jamarra to get him the opportunity to make his club debut.
"We're excited about what's he going to offer. What we do know is we think he's going to be a big part of our future moving forward."
Ugle-Hagan played 67 games for the Bulldogs, kicking 103 goals across his five seasons on the list.
He looked a star key forward on the rise in 2024, and the 24-year-old now has plenty of time to once again find that level.
Gold Coast will be hoping he can take some of the pressure off Ben King inside 50, with the key forward currently leading the Coleman Medal with 24 goals, five clear of Hawthorn's Jack Gunston in second.
