A four-game draft year was enough to keep Gold Coast Academy talent Zeke Uwland in the conversation as the best prospect in his draft class.
A back injury saw the gun utility sidelined through to late July, with Uwland returning to the field via the VFL with the Suns' state league side.
He would feature at the level three more times to conclude his 2025 season, which followed a sensational bottom-aged year that included a selection in the U18s All-Australian side.
Uwland poses as a damaging flanker at the next level, with his drive, kicking and leadership setting a high standard across his time in Queensland.
Seen as the headline name of Gold Coast's strong 2025 crop of Academy players, Uwland is one incoming Sun who mightn't look out of place come Round 1 of the new season. Where he features in Damien Hardwick's system will be a watch, with the younger brother of Suns defender Bodhi able to have an impact across all three lines of the field.
Uwland has closely watched Sydney sensation Errol Gulden as a player to replicate, giving Gold Coast fans a hint of what might be on the horizon at Carrara following their first September showing in 2025.
As for when a rival bid might arise, West Coast are a firm chance to use one of their early selections to force the Suns' hand on Uwland, and potentially his Academy teammate Dylan Patterson too, in what would be a double dip from the Eagles.
| 2 RANK |  | Zeke Uwland Gold Coast Academy Utility HEIGHT: 180cm | โถ+ |
Strengths
Power
Kicking
Professionalism
Draft Range
Pick 1-5
Potential Landing Spots
Gold Coast (Matched Bid)
