The trade in context
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, the No.1 draft pick in 2020 originally selected by the Western Bulldogs, has officially joined the Gold Coast Suns after being traded for Pick 74 in the 2025 trade period.
The Suns’ list management team, led by General Manager Player List & Talent Craig Cameron, described Ugle-Hagan as “a player with high forward craft and IQ … [who] can … complement the exciting group of forwards we already have.”
Suns’ strategic direction for 2026 & beyond
Gold Coast’s recent off-season moves and draft positioning point to a deliberate acceleration of their contention window:
- The Suns hold multiple high draft picks (e.g., Picks 7, 8, 15, 18, 29, 36, 37, 52 post-trade).
- They are fine-tuning their forward structure and talent base, shifting from developing to layering experience and impact.
- The club has publicly emphasised “fit and healthy” additions and mentoring/integrated support for players to sustain football performance.
BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 25: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Bulldogs greets fans after winning the round 24 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Mars Stadium, on August 25, 2024, in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
How Ugle-Hagan aligns with the blueprint
- Forward depth upgrade
Ugle-Hagan brings intrinsic forward craft: across 67 games he has kicked 103 goals.
He adds another tall, mobile target to a Suns forward line already anchored by (for example) Ben King, meaning Gold Coast can vary their entries and match-ups more aggressively. - Renewal & upside
After missing the entire 2025 season due to personal/off-field issues, Ugle-Hagan represents a “reset” opportunity rather than purely a plug-and-play. Gold Coast structured his contract with behavioural and games-played triggers to reflect this.
This fits Gold Coast’s approach: they’re acquiring high-ceiling talent but with measured risk management. - Cultural fit & support structure
The Suns have implemented wrap-around support, including Ugle-Hagan living with former Sun and Indigenous liaison officer Jarrod Harbrow, to bolster off-field stability and professional routine.
This indicates Gold Coast are thinking beyond just the game—embedding a player into the club culture, which is essential for long-term list development. - Timing for contention
The trade cost (Pick 74) is very low risk for Gold Coast, meaning their draft capital remains largely intact.
With multiple picks available and now an added forward resource, the Suns are positioning themselves not just for 2026, but 2027-28 as well, when their younger list matures and experience builds.
Risks & what to monitor
- Ugle-Hagan must stay healthy, committed and meet the behavioural/performance benchmarks. The club’s tolerance for non-performance is low.
- Integrating into the Suns’ system quickly will be important—his last consistent season was 2024, so match-fitness, confidence and role clarity are key.
- The Suns need this trade to translate into forward productivity and finals wins. If not, the risk will be seen as stepped up rather than strategic.
Bottom line
Gold Coast’s acquisition of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is a statement piece. It shows they are not waiting to age into relevance—they’re choosing targeted picks and high-upside players to accelerate their push. For Ugle-Hagan, it’s a lifeline with structure and expectation; for the Suns, it’s another piece in a broader architecture designed for sustained contention.
