IT WAS a long time coming, but pick one contender Zeke Uwland finally took the field for his first appearance at any level this year. The Gold Coast-tied prospect returned from back stress fractures for the Suns’ VFL side, which was undone by a mighty Brisbane fightback in Saturday’s Q-Clash.

Having watched the entire Under 18 National Championships from the sidelines, Uwland was medically cleared to get back into the action and did so on managed minutes. Sitting out the entire first quarter allowed him to ease into the game, with Gold Coast well on top at that point before being overrun.

The brother of current-Sun Bodhi made his state league debut last year, when he was also the sole bottom-aged Under 18 All-Australian. Uwland is capable of playing wherever the game needs him and has drawn comparisons to his idol Errol Gulden, another hard-running left-footed talent.

With plenty of runs on the board, many keen observers suggested he would be the top player in this year’s crop. Uwland hasn’t had the opportunity to outright prove that – until now – but remains firmly in the frame for pick one contendership. With that in mind, he is subject of this week’s Player Focus.

SUNS AcademyUtility

Zeke Uwland

Height: 180cm

Weight: -

DOB: 24-04-2007

STRENGTHS:

+ Consistency
+ Decision making
+ Kicking
+ Production
+ Running capacity
+ Toughness
+ Versatility

STATS:

2024 AFL U18 National Championships (4 games)
23.0 disposals | 15.0 uncontested possession | 4.8 marks | 6.0 rebound 50s

2024 Coates Talent League (4 games)
24.5 disposals | 5.0 marks | 5.3 rebound 50s | 2.0 goals (8 total)

ACCOLADES:

– 2025 AFL Academy member
– 2025 Suns Academy leadership group
– 2024 National Futures match
– 2024 U18 All-Australian
– 2024 Allies U18 representative
– 2024 VFL debut
– 2024 Hunter Harrison Medal
– 2024 Suns Academy Most Professional
– 2024 Queensland U17 representative
– 2023 Coates Talent League debut
– 2023 U16 All-Australian

PREVIOUS CONTENT:

>> Preseason Q&A
>> Race to #1

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 VFL Round 18
Gold Coast Suns 11.7 (73) def. by Brisbane Lions 12.10 (82)

#51 Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast)
Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 3 rebound 50s
5 intercept possessions, 8 uncontested possessions, 69% disposal efficiency

FIRST HALF:

Uwland was managed in term one, arguably a wise move given the overuse injury which has kept him sidelined. He would occupy a wing once rotated into the game, taking little time to find his groove and track the ball from end-to-end. AFL-listed Lion Luke Beecken was among his direct opponents.

He competed quite bravely in the air for a player his size, giving away a front-on free kick in his first involvement, but going on to take an intercept mark with fellow top draft prospect Daniel Annable closing in on him inside defensive 50. That act started the chain for an end-to-end goal to Caleb Lewis.

A moment of evasiveness caught the eye later on in the second quarter. Uwland snapped up a loose ball and dished off inboard, only to get it back under pressure and navigate two opponents with a duck and spin to find space. With such smarts, returning to football looked akin to riding a bike for Uwland.

SECOND HALF:

Uwland very nearly made an ideal start to the second half as he rose to mark Jed Walter’s wayward snap from the boundary – again showcasing gutsy commitment in the air. Usually a sound kick of the ball, his set shot was straight but went through after being touched on the mark.

At the other end of the ground, Annable ensured he would pay for the rare error. Uwland’s rustiness could be seen with a few more uncharacteristic turnovers by foot, with the 18-year-old looking to get his game going but not hitting short targets as reliably as he normally would.

Uwland also found it tough to stay tight in defensive transition, but adjusted to track his opponent better in the second half. He also had a productive fourth quarter, racking up plenty of the ball and showing great game awareness to take it on late in the piece – albeit in vein.

Uwland’s competitiveness in that capacity translated to defensive acts, laying strong tackles and taking another brave intercept mark flying third up in the contest. He scrapped hard at ground level and while not overtly physical, was willing to go hard and came up with the ball cleanly.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

It’s hard not to see the positives out of Uwland’s first outing for the year, and few could do it so smoothly at VFL level. Usually capable of stuffing the stats sheet, his managed minutes didn’t allow for that but a productive fourth quarter showed what he can do when in the groove.

Uwland’s ability to provide width on the wing was an asset for Gold Coast, and once he shook out the cobwebs he began to find his kicking range. His outside and overlap run was complimented by hard contested efforts and some terrific aerial feats which caught the eye.

If he can build up to a full match at VFL level with such form, there is no reason why he should be denied status as the crop’s leading prospect. Being unsighted in a relatively shallow pool has somewhat worked to his advantage given he has such quality runs on the board.

Play him on the wing, through the middle, off half-back, or even as a high forward. Uwland can do it all and has a game which suits the way modern-day football is trending. His contemporaries will have to make further statements if he can find top form before the year is out.