Jamarra Ugle-Hagan set for emotional Suns debut after 596-day AFL absence

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has shed a tear after being informed he will make his Gold Coast debut in the Suns' AFL clash with Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.

The former Western Bulldogs No.1 draft pick has been made to earn his spot in Damien Hardwick's side, but after five goals in the VFL last weekend, has forced his way in.

The Bulldogs dished Ugle-Hagan off to the Suns for the miserly pick 74 last year after he failed to play a single game in 2025 due to a series of off-field and mental health issues that kept him away from the club for long periods of the season.

That Gold Coast were willing to throw Ugle-Hagan a lifeline was a surprise even without his off-field complications, given they were already stocked with young key position talent.

Ben King is the favourite for the Coleman Medal, Jed Walter was taken with pick No.3 in the 2023 draft and looms as a star of the future, and Ethan Read is another top-10 draft pick and has already established himself as an impressive forward/ruck.

But so versatile is the 202cm Read, Hardwick has had the ability to deploy him on a wing, which opens up a chance for Ugle-Hagan to share the forward 50 with King and Walter.

"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 said.

"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."

In October last year, Ugle Hagan described 2025 as a "year from hell".

Ugle-Hagan said he attended 12 funerals in that year alone, with a decline in his mental health taking a toll.

The key forward uses football as his medicine, and Suns fans will be licking their lips to see what Ugle-Hagan can produce on Saturday.

"A lot of people have done a lot of work with Jamarra to get him the opportunity to make his club debut," Hardwick said.

"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."

Gold Coast sit fourth on the ladder with a 4-2 record, while Hawthorn (5-1) are third.

Ugle-Hagan kicked six goals in a VFL practice match earlier this year before an interrupted start to the season due to a minor knee injury.

On return last week, he kicked 5.2 from 13 disposals with five marks and four tackles.

Ugle-Hagan kicked 103 goals from 67 games for the Western Bulldogs between 2021 and 2025.