Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
How to tune into Sport NationFrom sidelines to Suns: Zeke Uwland’s return to No.1 contention
Jack Elliott • October 12th, 2025 2:30 pm
After missing most of 2025 through injury, Zeke Uwland is back and ready for the draft as he shapes as a genuine No.1 pick contender.
The left-footer is set to head to Gold Coast as an academy graduate, forcing the Suns to notch up enough points to match his likely early bid.
A back stress fracture sidelined the prospect for most of his 2025 campaign, most notably seeing him miss the Allies’ under-18 championship campaign.
Uwland was eventually able to get some football under his belt this season as he staked his final claim for No.1 pick honours, playing the last four games for the Gold Coast Suns’ VFL side.
“It’s certainly had its challenges. No one wants to be on the sidelines in a draft year when you want to prove yourself and showcase your abilities,” Uwland told The Trade Exchange.
But the 18-year-old has seen the silver lining as he prepares for the draft.
“The injury itself has had a lot of unintended benefits. I was able to work onsome things that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to,” he said.
“I worked really close with my strength and conditioning coach Matt Taylor.
“But in particular, we worked on this thing called ‘DNS’ (dynamic neuromuscular stabilisation). It is basically just controlling my core and making sure that I move in really functional ways and I think that’s held me in great stead and I still use it for my pre-training preparation.
“My body’s feeling really good.”
But despite his injury struggles, the midfielder-defender has shown his body is ready for AFL football, impressing in the draft combine.
Uwland finished second out of 70 prospects in both the standing and running vertical jumps, and is confident he is ready to be free from the chains come the start of pre-season.
“I’ll be unrestricted,” Uwland said.
“I’ll be treated like every first-year player. So, off the back of my work, I’ve reached a suitable level of conditioning and strength, so I’ll be right to go.”
Star Suns defender and brother Bodhi Uwland also had his struggles with the same injury, seeing him miss the entirety of the 2022 season. But brother Zeke believes it was a blessing in his recovery this year.
“(It taught me) a bit of diligence and trusting your body and listening to it. I was fortunate enough to catch on to mine a bit earlier than Bodhi and that’s why I was able to come back a fair bit quicker," he said.
Since then, Bodhi has made himself a staple in the Suns’ defence, playing a key role in his side’s club-best season alongside two-time club champion Sam Collins.
And it’s the idea of both Uwlands lining up that is an exciting prospect for not only Suns fans, but also for the little brother.
“It would be a dream come true,” Zeke Uwland said.
“We’ve always had a kick together and done the off-season programs together, so to be with him would just be amazing and hopefully it will come true.”
Draft recruiters will be keeping an eye on the Suns as they look to stock up on picks to match a bid for Uwland, with Gold Coast currently holding picks 6, 14, 17, 35, 62 and 73, with St Kilda’s pick seven likely to head to the Suns as part of a trade for Sam Flanders.
The 2025 AFL Draft will begin on November 19.
