WHILE in some years the leading AFL Draft prospect is clear as day, much like in 2024 there is no real consensus regarding who the nation’s number one talent is for 2025. In the return of our Race to #1 series, we highlight at a half-dozen prospects who are in the frame for said honours.

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After opening the show with Willem Duursma, next up is another ‘brother-of’ in Zeke Uwland. Looking to follow elder sibling Bodhi through the Suns Academy pipeline, the 178cm utility has made a name for himself with hard running, elite decision making, and a booming left-foot kick.

>> Ones to watch: Top 25 AFL Draft prospects in 2025

Allies, SUNS AcademySmall Utility

Zeke Uwland

Height: 178cm

Weight: -

DOB: 24-04-2007

BY THE NUMBERS:

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

STRENGTHS

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

Uwland possesses weapons which make him uniquely brilliant, but they lie amongst a deep array of elite traits. His kicking is arguably the best of the lot; able to go off either foot, long or short, and also on goal. Few are more incisive nor creative by foot than Uwland, who kicks around 80 per cent of the time.

Combined with his outstanding running capacity, Uwland is a damaging metres-gained player. He thrives off half-back or the wing where he can overlap, break the lines and set up play with his disposal, often venturing high up the field to impact each stage of play. It’s why he consistently racks up bulk possessions.

Such skill and gut-running draw comparisons to Sydney’s Errol Gulden, another crafty left-footer on the smaller end of the scale. Like Gulden, Uwland loves a goal and can ply his trade on the inside or outside. Perhaps the 17-year-old’s point of difference is his notable toughness – despite his size.

A roaming playmaker with the fabled speed-endurance mix, Uwland hardly wastes a touch and makes his presence felt in every third of the ground. His durability and work rate ensure he is a four-quarter performer, and consistent from week to week. Few have been able to rival his production levels.

QUESTION MARK(S)

Size is always going to be the main query surrounding Uwland, though he quashes that qualm with how he goes about it. He’s deceptively robust and has plenty of sub-180cm onballers to look up to at the elite level. His size won’t hold him back from playing in his usual outside running style, regardless.

While quite competent on his opposite, right-hand side, Uwland can sometimes trap himself searching for his left. Given he is quite neat with both feet, trusting those tools will only make him a more effective ball user and decision maker – traits which are already at an elite level.

It’s clear that Uwland likes to use his best weapons – ie his left foot – and given how he plays it should come as no surprise he has relatively low contested possession counts. That, and a kick-to-handball ratio which heavily favours the former, can be directly attributed him having the license to let his strengths show. Play on.

OUR SCOUTS SAID…

“Uwland is a perfect utility in the way that his strengths adapt to any role. Rotating between half-back, midfield and the wing, he still managed to hit the scoreboard with two goals – including a 70m bomb – with his running capacity a highlight in the game. He might only be small, but his skills and decision making are outstanding.” – Peter Williams, 2024 National Futures game

“Uwland went about his usual business on Saturday, racking up the ball and having several moments of class. He spent the day down back but snuck forward to slam home a goal in typically assured fashion during the first quarter. Otherwise, Uwland adopted a high line and looked to pounce any time possession changed hands, providing plenty of run and elite decision making in transition.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 Queensland Futures

“Uwland popped up everywhere and owned the metres gained category. Capable of playing just about anywhere, the bottom-ager was given a run through midfield but racked up many of his 25 disposals in the back half where he took the kick-ins, was an outlet on the overlap, and mopped up sloppy Vic Metro forward forays. His kick-first mentality and running game made for plenty of productive passages in a game where gaining territory was crucial.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 U18 National Championships

“Uwland was everywhere for the Suns across half-back and pushing up the ground, with his ball use and excellent decision making a highlight. Uwland attacked the contest with vigour and defended desperately, highlighting his competitiveness. Taking eight marks for the game, Uwland showed he was strong overhead and his follow-up work was sound. Meanwhile, his speed and evasiveness were evident in his running patterns and he also provided leadership in the backline with talk and direction.” – Adrian Dixon, 2024 CTL Round 8

“A versatile talent capable of playing at both ends and on either side of midfield, Uwland turned it on in attack. The star bottom-ager produced a goalkicking clinic, converting with deadly precision over the mark, on the run, and via snaps around the corner. His work rate got him into pockets of space inside 50, not just hitting the scoreboard during his forward rotations, but also doing so as a midfielder. The left-footer’s kicking is clearly a weapon and he can use either foot.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 CTL Round 5

“Uwland capped off a strong carnival with arguably his best performance, amassing 29 disposals, 10 marks, seven inside 50s, and three goals from the wing. The brother of Bodhi backed his speed on the outside, blazing a trail into attack and using the ball typically well. His range of passing was superb and that translated to clean conversion in front of goal, proving somewhat of a superboot from outside 50.” – Michael Alvaro, 2023 U16 National Championships

WHERE HE SITS

In a wide-open race for number one prospect status, Uwland is considered by some to be the best player available. If not for Duursma, he’d be our first choice too. Few others lay claim to such an impressive resume in the way of numbers and accolades, along with some of the best traits for modern day football. Uwland brings the game forward with damaging run and disposal, is reliable, fleet of thinking and foot, and can play just about anywhere. He’s a genuine top-fiver who, despite his club-tied status, will likely be drafted in that range should he maintain the rage as a top-ager. The Suns strike again.

Previous edition: Willem Duursma
Up next: Dyson Sharp