Gold Coast star youngster and reigning Pick 2 Zeke Uwland is eyeing a new role across halfback in the AFL for the Suns.
Uwland was drafted 12 months ago and played 17 games in his debut year, which was spent predominantly on the wing.
However, throughout his draft year, he spent a large amount of time along the defensive 50, utilising his speed, elite endurance and classy left foot to pierce opposition structures.
"I think I'll start training throughout the back line," Uwland said.
"Got a bit of exposure there towards the back end of last year, but building on a whole preseason with that would be pretty cool and learning the trade with that.
"Just applying the defensive craft will be a good learning experience over the preseason. I hope so if I get picked; yeah, look where the team needs me. But ideally, halfback is my preferred position."
The Suns are stacked in the position, with John Noble and Daniel Rioli holding down the rebounding defender.
But a pair of development coaches have become a key point in Uwland's development.
"I think you naturally linger around those boys (Noble and Rioli) a bit and try and learn a bit off them," he said. "They're both very experienced and great half-back players. Great to learn off them.
"Then we've also got Nathan Murphy joining as the backs coach, and Alex Sexton has a development backs coach. So I've got a plethora of knowledge around me, so I'm sure I'll be able to learn relatively quickly."
Murphy wasn't the only Collingwood person who traded the black and white for the blistering sun in Queensland.
AFL games record holder Scott Pendlebury was traded to Gold Coast, signing a two-year playing contract before entering the coaching space under Damien Hardwick.
"I think he's double my age, so it'll be pretty cool to meet him, and I'm sure he'll be really good for the culture and have a lot of impact on this group," Uwland said.
"He's got a lot of aura about himself, and playing 442 games for the biggest club in the land, it's pretty cool. Just to have him around the club will be super cool. But then also some of his attributes that he has I really admire, and I'll certainly be keeping a close eye on him."
Uwland enters his second season in the AFL after impressing despite the club struggling after a breakthrough finals appearance in 2025.
To avoid the second-year blues, the Suns academy graduate has noticeably put on more size and strength, while continuing to double down on his endurance to match it with the game's elite.
"We obviously had a really disappointing year last year, so the fact that everyone wants to apply themselves and get back into routine says a lot about where we're trying to get to and that we're willing to go the distance to get there," Uwland said.
"I think as a second-year player, you come in, you get to do a lot more training over the preseason.
"So building a really big tank is my big goal. I think that can be a point of difference and few players that I aspire to be like that's a real weapon of theirs. And then, off the back of that pre-season, I want to play as many games as I can and really excel and solidify a role."
