“He wasn’t in very good physical condition”: Gold Coast Sun details Ugle-Hagan’s dramatic turnaround

Gold Coast Suns recruit Jamarra Ugle-Hagan clearly has a point to prove.

The troubled key forward departed the Western Bulldogs after sitting the entire 2025 season on the sidelines, largely due to personal battles.

But a new environment brings a revived perspective, and his new teammates have already begun noticing.

Ugle-Hagan wasn't the only big name to walk through the Suns' doors in the off-season, with Melbourne premiership player Christian Petracca also successfully seeking a trade in Queensland.

Joel Jeffrey, speaking to Zero Hanger, has been impressed with what the duo have already brought to the club.

"I've seen Jamarra before, back home in the off-season, and he wasn't in very good physical condition," Jeffrey said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"But when I came back, he was flying. He is flying at the moment. He's probably the fittest he's been in all of his career. I'm pretty close with him. I know how fit he is. I reckon next year he is going to have a very good year.

"And Petracca, obviously, a leader to us younger boys. And he's flying as well.

"I can't wait to run alongside them because I think it will be something special."

But the inclusion of Ugle-Hagan and Petracca isn't the only reason why Gold Coast is buzzing, with the hype around its 2025 draft haul being the talk of the town.

The Suns welcomed six fresh faces, five of whom came through the club's academy program, and four in the first round, headed by Pick 2 Zeke Uwland.

Jeffrey was taken aback by the professionalism and commitment of the 18-year-olds, and even provided a tip on when Uwland and Dylan Patterson might debut.

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"I've never seen first-year players be so committed when they come to the club," Jeffrey said.

"They're tracking very well. It takes a bit to get the game plan, but I feel they've clicked onto it straight away, and they're absolutely flying at training.

"Uwland and Patterson have amazing talents. I reckon (they'll play in Round 1). It'll be tough, but I reckon Uwland will give it a red-hot crack in Round 1.

"Patterson has competition between Daniel (Rioli) and (John) Noble across the halfback line, so it might take him a bit."

As a result of the mass inclusion, club stalwarts such as Ben Ainsworth, Brayden Fiorini, Sam Flanders, Connor Budarick, and Malcolm Rosas found new homes, while Bailey Humphrey flirted with the idea of a move back to Victoria.

Jeffrey was "surprised" by Ainsworth's trade to Carlton despite signing a four-year extension midway through 2024, while Humphrey has been embraced by the club.

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"He's good. He's got a lot of respect from us boys and the coaching staff," Jeffrey said of Humphrey.

"We didn't harp on too much about it. At the end of the day, we're all men, and you've got to make decisions. He's happy to stay here. We respect him fully for whatever he does."