Suns delist Ugle-Hagan with a twist as troubled star given lifeline

The Gold Coast Suns have delisted Jamarra Ugle-Hagan but plan on picking up the young gun in next month’s AFL draft.

The Suns confirmed in a statement on Friday that they had delisted both Ugle-Hagan and fellow key forward Elliott Himmelberg, with a view to adding the duo back to their list in the November 19-20 draft.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Gold Coast Suns. Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Gold Coast needed to temporarily shuffle a couple of players out ahead of Friday afternoon’s list lodgement deadline, having signed three players during the trade period.

The Suns recruited Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury as well as Hawthorn pair Aidan Schubert and Sam Butler.

Ugle-Hagan, 24, played only three senior games in his first season at the Suns, who gave the 2020 No.1 draft pick a second chance after a controversy-riddled time at the Western Bulldogs.

He needed to play 12 senior games this year to automatically trigger a new one-year deal.

He struggled with injury and fitness issues in his first season as a Sun, and underwent knee and ankle surgery, but showed signs of his brilliant talent across 11 VFL games.

Ugle-Hagan and Suns teammate Mac Andrew courted controversy when video emerged of the pair walking out of a disabled toilet together at the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium in July. They both denied any wrongdoing.

Ugle-Hagan didn’t play at any level in 2025 because of off-field behavioural issues and mental health problems.

His chief supporter at the Suns is coach Damien Hardwick.

Gold Coast holds selections eight, 81, 85 and 103 in this year’s draft.