Talented forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will play his first game at AFL level in 596 days, with the 22-year-old handed a Gold Coast debut by coach Damien Hardwick for the Suns' round seven away clash against Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.
Ugle-Hagan's last game was for the Bulldogs in an Elimination Final loss against Hawthorn on September 6, 2024. The No. 1 pick in the 2020 National Draft failed to get on the park in 2025 due to personal issues.
Last June, Ugle-Hagan opened up about his mental health struggles, telling the Rip Through It podcast he had frequent suicidal thoughts.
"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.
"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 kicked 103 goals in 67 games for the Bulldogs before being traded to the Suns in October last year. Gold Coast secured the services of Ugle-Hagan for pick 74 in the 2025 National Draft.
It is ironic Ugle-Hagan's return comes in the same week as the Dogs lost emerging superstar Sam Darcy to a knee injury.
Ugle-Hagan would be a more than handy replacement for Darcy, but after a troubled period the Dogs effectively lost him for nothing.
