After months of quiet negotiation and careful due diligence, Gold Coast believe they've landed more than just a talented forward — they've given Jamarra Ugle-Hagan a second chance.

The Suns took a gamble on the former Pick 1 after sending a late selection during Wednesday's trade deadline, sending Pick 74 to the Western Bulldogs.

"It would be a good couple of months (of discussions)," Craig Cameron, Suns GM of Player Talent and Strategy, said on AFL Trade Radio on Thursday.
"It takes a bit to work through with someone like Jamarra in terms of some of the issues we had to investigate.

"And also work out his position with the Bulldogs, given that he was contracted."

Ugle-Hagan, who was on a deal next year at the Whitten Oval worth around $800,000, sat out the entire 2025 season after flagging personal issues.

The 23-year-old was quickly seen as a potential trade target, with interstate clubs, like Sydney, immediately linked to the left-footer.

However, the Suns won the race for his services, and although it appears to be a big risk, the Queensland club believes it is a free hit.

Gold Coast will be putting much-needed "structure" into his life, which includes living long-term with former Sun and Bulldog Jarrod Harbrow.

Harbrow played 262 games across both clubs, and is Gold Coast's Indigenous liaison officer.

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GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Jarrod Harbrow of the Suns kicks during the round two AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium on March 31, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

But when it comes to Ugle-Hagan's contract, the Suns are taking very little risk, applying behavioural clauses as well as an option for a trigger.

"His contract is a one-year contract with a trigger clause," Cameron said.

"The trigger clause is games played, and then there's other clauses, which, to be honest, are in standard contracts anyway in terms of behaviour, and (Jamarra's) other clauses are pointing to that.

"The other part of it is trying to put structure around him from a performance perspective, ensuring he can get back to the condition to play AFL footy.

"Then, putting structure in his life. Jarrad Harbrow will play a big role in that from an Indigenous perspective, as well as psychological services.

"The big thing is we are giving Jamarra a second chance, and it's now up to him to commit to that second chance, but also use all the structures that we are going to put around him to give himself the best chance to return to footy."

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At his best, Ugle-Hagan is a 40+ goal-kicking forward, which he proved in 2024 (43 goals from 22 matches).

The Suns' acquisition will immediately put a squeeze on the tall forward stocks, although Cameron sees the 23-year-old's addition to the list as adding flexibility, especially given there are now five on the bench.

Ugle-Hagan will compete with Jed Walter, Ben King and Ethan Read for spots, although the latter has the capacity to play in multiple roles.

But now, with support structures in place and a clean slate ahead, the ball is firmly in Ugle-Hagan's court.