Zeke Uwland

Zeke Uwland
Uwland in March 2026
Personal information
Full name Ezekiel Richard Uwland
Nickname Zeke the Freak[1]
Born (2007-04-24) 24 April 2007
Gold Coast, Queensland
Original teams Burleigh Bombers (QFA)
Gold Coast Suns Academy (Talent League)
Draft No. 2, 2025 national draft
Debut Round 0, 2026, Gold Coast vs. Geelong, at Carrara Stadium
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Position Defender / Midfielder
Club information
Current club Gold Coast
Number 32
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2026– Gold Coast 17 (7)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 22, 2026.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Zeke Uwland (born 24 April 2007) is an professional Australian rules footballer who was drafted to the Gold Coast Suns with pick 2 in the 2025 AFL draft.

Early life

Uwland was born and raised on the Gold Coast[2] where he attended All Saints Anglican School throughout his childhood.[3] He is of Dutch descent and his grandfather moved from the Netherlands to Australia after World War II had concluded.[4] Zeke's eldest brother, Bodhi, is also a professional footballer with the Gold Coast Suns.[5] A foundation member and lifelong fan of the Gold Coast Suns,[6] Uwland played junior football for the Burleigh Bombers and was invited to join the Gold Coast Suns Academy at the age of 12 years old.[7] A month after his 16th birthday, Uwland made his senior debut for Burleigh[8] and was voted best on ground in Burleigh's 2023 senior grand final winning team later that year while playing alongside his brother Jarrah and future Suns' teammate Lachie Gulbin.[9][10] Uwland was also named in the 2023 U16 All Australian team after an outstanding national championships campaign.[11]

In 2024, at 17 years of age, he made his VFL debut for the Gold Coast Suns and was later selected to represent the Allies as a bottom ager in the U18 National Championships where he excelled and was named in the U18 All Australian team at the conclusion of the tournament.[12] He injured his back in late 2024 and missed the majority of the 2025 season but was still considered a top prospect amongst draft experts.[13] Outside of football, Uwland is studying a law/commerce degree at Griffith University and works as a paralegal at a law firm on the Gold Coast.[14]

AFL career

Uwland was drafted to the Gold Coast Suns with pick 2 in the 2025 AFL draft.[15] He made his AFL debut in the opening round match against Geelong at Carrara Stadium. Playing as a half-back, Uwland earned a nomination for the 2026 Rising Star award in round 17 when he had a personal best 32 disposals to go with a goal in the loss to Collingwood.[16] He also received the first fine of his career during a brawl at half time of the match.[17]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.[18]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2026Gold Coast32 177615910326265220.40.49.46.115.43.81.30
Career 177615910326265220.40.49.46.115.43.81.30

References

  1. ↑ "Back issue to sideline No.1 pick contender, but season not over". AFL.com.au. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "From childhood dream to reality". Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "Law student, auditor, rehab: The juggle for Suns-bound No.1 pick contender". AFL.com.au. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "This top draft prospect could have been a cricket star". Fox Sports Australia. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "He's one of the most talented players in the draft, but he's already planning for corporate life". WAToday. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "Zeke Uwland to debut in SUNS season opener". Gold Coast Suns. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "From Burleigh to the big time". play.afl. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Congratulations to Zeke Uwland who will be making his senior debut this week against Bond in a top of the table clash". Burleigh Bombers Facebook Page. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "This top draft prospect could have been a cricket star. Instead AFL's controversial academy snared him". Fox Sports Australia. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "QFA Division 2 South - Bond University v Burleigh". AFL Queensland YouTube Page. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  11. ↑ "SUNS Academy dominates U16 All-Australian Boys squad". Gold Coast Suns. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Lombard & Uwland receive U18 All Australian Honours". Gold Coast Suns. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "How a 'dramatic' childhood accident almost cost draft prospect his toe". AFL.com.au. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  14. ↑ "Pick 1 contender Zeke Uwland describes his life away from footy". AFL.com.au. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  15. ↑ "AFL Draft Combine 2025: The biggest takeaways from the weekend". ESPN Australia. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  16. ↑ "Attacking Sun earns Rising Star nomination after career-best outing". AFL Media. 6 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Barnes, Josh (6 July 2026). "Star of Chasing The Dream and Gold Coast Sun Zeke Uwland receives Rising Star nomination". Code Sports. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Zeke Uwland". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
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