Zeke Uwland is not your average draft prospect, in fact, he’s far from it.

Uwland, the brother of Gold Coast Sun Bodhi, is one of the most exciting 18-year-old talents in the country, but he certainly doesn’t come across as a naive, starry-eyed youngster ready to kick a ball around without a care in the world.

Uwland is mature beyond his years and speaks like a well-rounded 25-year-old who’s starting to get ahead of the curve and consider life after footy, rather than a youngster who’s about to embark on what could well and truly be a glittering 250-game career.

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The Suns Academy product is widely regarded as a likely top five selection at this year’s draft and there’s a high chance he slots straight into Damien Hardwick’s round one side in 2026.

But he’s so much more than just a footballer.

Uwland, who finished his schooling at All Saints Anglican School last year, has been studying a law and commerce degree at Griffith University this year. Plenty of 18-year-olds dream of becoming a footballer, or a lawyer, but not many can say they’re living both dreams at the same time.

When Uwland doesn’t have his head down in his studies, he splits his time between working as a paralegal at a law firm and as an auditor in Burleigh. His diligent training regime with the Sherrin, plus the time he’s taking to set himself up off-field, is already paying dividends.

“The average AFL career is only four years, I want to prepare myself for that as best I can. I’d love to stay in footy, but what role that would be in I’m not sure,” he told foxfooty.com.au.

“I always want to be a corporate lawyer, I definitely want to do that one day. I wouldn’t let anything stop me there because I’m really bullish on getting that dream alive,” he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 03: Zeke Uwland poses during the Telstra AFL Draft Combine Headshots Session at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 03, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I enjoy it. I’ve always been pretty studious and I love studying. That’s my main time filler when I have some spare time. I’ve supplemented that with some work experience as well, I’ve done a bit of law work at a local small firm and did a bit of auditing for a self-management fund as well.

“I’ve always been really particular about things and want to get to the bottom of them. I’ve always enjoyed looking at discrepancies in things and articulating words to construct an argument.”

Like a lot of youngsters who study law, Uwland is also a big fan of the TV show Suits. The balance he’s struck with his studies and footy this year has held him in good stead, particularly when his season was over before it ever well and truly began.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: Zeke Uwland of Gold Coast runs with the ball during the AFL National Development Championships U16 boys match between Gold Coast Suns and Tasmania at Heritage Bank Stadium on July 03, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

THE ‘CHALLENGING’ INJURY THAT DIDN’T SINK IN AT FIRST

Uwland’s 2025 campaign was turned upside down pretty quickly after one phone call during a pre-season camp.

At first, the devastating news didn’t sink in for Uwland, who had a stress fracture in his back. He was put on ice for the season, more as a precaution than anything else and turned his attention to rehabilitation.

“I felt sore, it wasn’t really anything major but pretty sore and it had built up over time,” he began.

“It was weird, I was in a bit of shock. I still remember being told, we were on a pre-season camp and I got a call from the physio. I was like, ‘rightio, what now?’ It probably didn’t sink in for a few weeks that I was in it for the long run.

“I’ve got so much support around me with my family. Bodhi went through a similar thing and I had other things going on in my life that I could turn to like study and work… I’d rather it now than down the track.”

That support network helped him realign his focuses and goals for the year, but he had to find a way to fix himself as well, to give himself the best chance at playing footy again next year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 12: Zeke Uwland of the AFL National Academy poses during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys Jumper Presentation at Mercure Albert Park on April 12, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Enter Matt Taylor, the athletic performance coach at the Suns. Often in the footy world it’s the star players or the head coaches that get all the accolades, but Taylor’s work with Uwland has been so influential.

The high performance athletics guru has helped Uwland develop his acceleration, speed and agility but that’s just the start of the impact Taylor has had on the young Sun. It was Taylor who introduced Uwland to Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilitization (DNS).

DNS is an approach to rehabilitation that activates natural movement patterns by stimulating the brain’s movement control centres. It’s not very well known, in fact someone once told Uwland that there’s only about 100 people in Australia who practice it. Internationally, one of the greatest tennis players of all-time in Novak Djokovic has seeked out the assistance of Dr Pavel Kolar, who is one of the most well-known practitioners in this space.

“It’s so weird, I lie on the ground basically and do all these movements, really focusing on my breath. It’s pretty unique,” Uwland said.

When he first started it, he “felt like an idiot”.

“I was literally laying on the ground with my feet and arms in the air and I felt like an idiot. It slowly progresses and I’m now doing more and more complex stuff,” Uwland said.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 02: Zeke Uwland of the Allies celebrates a goal with team mates during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Allies and Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark on June 02, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

It felt weird at first, but now Uwland is reaping the rewards. In particular, it’s helped with his back and core strength. Each ‘stage’ takes him a week or two to get right.

“You’ve got to do it wrong before you can feel what it’s like when it’s right. It’s astounding how much different it feels when you get it right, it’s fascinating,” he said.

“I’ve always had a pretty bad arch in my back, it’s not bad for me or anything but it was something we’d talked about and he suggested it.

“We worked on it pretty hard for those three months I wasn’t running. I think it really helped and I do it before every training session now.”

Not being able to run out onto the footy field during his draft year has been a challenge for Uwland, but he’s still found a way to keep improving himself, even if it isn’t by racking up 30 touches and two goals.

“It was challenging, being out for so long. You want to prove yourself, especially in your draft year. It also gives you lots of opportunities as well being injured, some that I wouldn’t have if I was playing,” he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 05: Zeke Uwland running on October 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

‘A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE’: THE SILVER LININGS AFTER INJURY TOLL

Uwland isn’t one to sit on his hands and wait around. As soon as he received the news about his injury, he wanted to know how he could get better and get back as soon as possible. His mind also turned quickly to how he could continue to help make those around him better.

Uwland has played a key role this season working with the midfield group at the Suns alongside Jarrad Cotton and James Tsitas. He’s not only helped the coaching group simplify their messaging to his teammates, but he’s increased his teammates’ understanding of structures and game plans which has allowed the side to take their game to another level.

It’s just a small glimpse into the type of person Uwland is like off the field.

“I want to be a really good leader. If you can contribute to the team’s culture, that can be the difference between winning a premiership and just making a prelim. If I can be a good contributor to team culture and environment, that’s something I really want to do,” he said.

“In the past I’ve probably been a bit too direct thinking that everyone’s as like-minded. I’m just learning to adapt to that, it’ll come in time and I’m sure I’ll get better at that.”

Through his coaching, he’s been able to see the game from another lens. You’ll often see at AFL level established senior players, who are keen to tip their toe into coaching post-footy, sit up in the coaches box or on the bench. Think the likes of Sam Docherty or James Sicily for example. It’s not as often a coaching group entrusts a youngster, who hasn’t even been drafted, with the amount of responsibilities the Suns trusted Uwland with.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 02: Zeke Uwland of the Allies celebrates a goal with team mates during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Allies and Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark on June 02, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“It was really good, you see the game from a different perspective and understand a bit more about the team role and what you can do to optimize team success. It was a great perspective, I think it’s helped my leadership as well just so I can help deliver feedback in better ways for certain individuals,” he said.

A key learning that has “hit home” this year for Uwland is to be present.

“I think the biggest one, I got told a couple of years ago by one of my coaches, it’s only really hit home the past year or so. Being where your feet are and nothing’s ever as good or bad as it seems,” he said.

“Especially with my back, that was a pretty deflating time but understanding there’s light at the end of the tunnel and everything will be okay and you’ll be able to play footy again. That’s a message I still have with me.”

He didn’t get to pull the boots on and dominate the National Championships during his draft year like he might have hoped to, but there’s no denying that Uwland is a better player, and person, now than what he was 12 months ago.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 05: Zeke Uwland on October 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

THE ‘PRETTY INTENSE’ BACKYARD BATTLES

Like plenty of other Australian families, the Uwland backyard battles were hectic. Whether it was playing cricket on the road in the street, shooting a basketball or playing footy in the backyard, those battles were competitive.

“Competitions were pretty intense growing up all the way through. We still fight it out now. We’d play all sport all day every day, whether it was cricket on the road, footy in the backyard with some goal posts, it was good fun,” he said.

There are four Uwland boys in the family. Bodhi, who has already developed into a key cog under Hardwick having played just 49 games for the Suns, is the eldest. Jarrah is the second eldest and then there’s Zeke and Mali, his twin brother. For as long as Zeke can remember, he’s had a Sherrin in his hands.

“I can’t really remember it to be honest, I was so young. I’ve been playing footy for as long as I can remember. We’ve got a big footy family,” he said.

He says his career highlight was winning a flag with Jarrah. Now he hopes he can win one with Bodhi at the Suns.

“Winning a senior premiership with my local club I grew up playing for. I played in that with Jarrah, hopefully I can do it at AFL level as well,” he said.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 26: Zeke Uwland of the Allies during the 2024 Marsh AFL Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Allies at Thebarton Oval on May 26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Zeke looks up to Bodhi in many ways. He’s the big brother and he’s blazed the path that Zeke himself is now following.

“He’s been a big influence, he’s sort of lit the path for me I guess going through the same situation,” he said.

Family is clearly very important to Uwland, who has Dutch heritage on his dad’s side. Uwland’s grandfather and half a dozen siblings moved over to Australia after the World War and there still remains plenty of cousins in Colac.

While Uwland doesn’t too much of that family, he vividly recalls a time during his childhood where the larger Uwland contingent hire out an entire school camp area.

“We don’t really get down there much… we went down there one year and it was pretty cool. We hire out a big school camp area, there’s at least 50 people that go,” he laughed.

Whether it be training sessions together, injury rehab tips, nutrition or any other facet of life, Bodhi’s influence on Zeke has been profound. There’s a genuine chance that they’re lined up alongside each other next year come round one.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Zeke Uwland of Team Sloane marks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match between Team Heppell and Team Sloane at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

‘GOT TO REMEMBER WHAT THEY’RE THERE FOR’: THE FORGOTTEN ACADEMY MESSAGE

There’s been plenty of talk, rightly or wrongly, about the Northern Academies this year. The Suns Academy has been pivotal in Uwland’s journey.

“I can’t thank them enough, I wouldn’t be here without them. Footy was such a minority sport in Queensland growing up, so to have their support and the pathway they provide to the AFL, it holds us in great stead to choose football instead of another sport like rugby league,” he said.

Uwland believes he might’ve been wielding the willow if it wasn’t for the Suns pathway. After all, you can’t be what you can’t see.

“I think I would’ve played cricket. We always had a passion for footy but if there’s no pathway, you lose interest and get caught up in other sports where there’s greater opportunities,” he said.

“I think all the chat around the Academy’s, you’ve got to remember what they’re really there for. It’s not to make Gold Coast or Brisbane the best side ever, it’s to help our pathways and make Queensland a football state.”

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Zeke Uwland during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session on January 20, 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

If the Academy didn’t exist, one of the best youngsters in the country might’ve been playing a rival sport.

Uwland will find his way to the Suns at November’s draft. Whether a bid falls at pick 1 or somewhere after that remains to be seen, but he’s right at the pointy end and it doesn’t really faze him what pick he goes.

“It’s probably a bit cliche and hard to believe, but it doesn’t really worry me. At the end of the day, I know I’m never going to be number one pick, wherever it is it’s much of a muchness and it’s not worth reading into it. Opinions don’t really matter until about November,” he said.

“It’s cool (seeing power rankings), like someone might send it to me, it’s inevitable that you see it but you just acknowledge that it’s there and it is what it is, it’s out of my control.”

Uwland is a composed user who uses the ball well with a high footy IQ. Some scouts have compared him to Sydney superstar Errol Gulden. He’s a self-driven individual, who is well-liked and respected amongst his peers.

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‘IT WOULD BE CRAZY’: A DREAM IS ABOUT TO BECOME REALITY

Fast forward a few weeks and Uwland will officially be a Suns player. When asked how much that would mean to him and his family, a huge smile beamed across Uwland’s face.

“I literally just got a back tingle, it would be crazy,” he said.

“So many kids dream of having the opportunity that some of us will be lucky to have. It would be a dream come true and hopefully it comes to fruition and I can celebrate with friends and family.”

When draftees hear their names called out on the first night of the draft, most go up on stage representing their Coates Talent League program or an equivalent thereof.

Uwland, will be repping his local footy side, Burleigh, who have played such a key role in his footy development.

“I’ll be wearing my Burleigh polo if I get the invite, I’d be the first player to have stayed at Burleigh the whole way. It’s like a Div 2 local club, everyone usually hops across to a QAFL club but I’ve been really committed to them because they’ve been really good to me,” he said.

“The whole community is really invested. They just want people to succeed. It’s so special. It’s good to have people rooting for you.”

It’s hard to remember a draft prospect as impressive as Uwland both on and off the field for some time. Gold Coast are going to get a ripper.