Damien Hardwick has confirmed that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will remain with the Gold Coast Suns for the 2027 season, labeling the forward as a "long termer" for the club. Ugle-Hagan, who is currently out of contract, joined the Suns last off-season after a challenging five years with the Western Bulldogs.

Ugle-Hagan's Journey and Current Status

At 24 years old, Ugle-Hagan has had a limited presence on the field this season, featuring in only three senior games. Hardwick acknowledges the difficulties Ugle-Hagan has faced, particularly after missing a significant amount of football due to injury. "We've got to remember this young lad missed a lot of football. Eighteen months is a long time out of the game, so he's still getting his fitness levels up to speed," Hardwick stated.

Potential for Growth

Despite his limited appearances, Hardwick is optimistic about Ugle-Hagan's potential contributions to the team. "What we do like is his ability to do stuff on the football field that other people can’t," he noted. Hardwick emphasized that this year serves as a crucial period for Ugle-Hagan, describing it as a "year of learning, a year of growth." He believes that with another pre-season under his belt, Ugle-Hagan will be ready to make a significant impact in the following season.

Ugle-Hagan's season included a standout performance where he scored three goals against Greater Western Sydney. However, an ankle injury sustained before the round 10 match against Port Adelaide has limited his appearances since then, leading him to return through the VFL without yet earning a spot back on the senior team.