Tears flow at Gold Coast as troubled star returns; Pies make ‘conservative’ call

Updated April 23, 2026 — 12:55pm,first published 11:09am

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In today’s AFL briefing:

The Suns announced on Thursday that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would make his debut for the Queensland club against Hawthorn.

The Magpies are being cautious when it comes to captain Darcy Moore.

Tears shed as Ugle-Hagan earns Suns debut

Danny Russell

Troubled young star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been handed an emotional return to senior football, selected by Gold Coast to play his first AFL match in almost 600 days.

The Suns announced on Thursday that 24-year-old Ugle-Hagan, who teared up at the news he had been picked, would make his debut for the Queensland club against Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.

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The 2020 No.1 draft pick lost his way after playing 67 games as a forward for the Western Bulldogs, including his controversial selection in the 2024 elimination final loss to Hawthorn.

That was to be his last match in the Western Bulldogs’ colours.

Ugle-Hagan revealed in a podcast last year that he hit rock bottom while taking extended personal leave from football in 2025 as the spotlight on him intensified. He said he spent time in a rehab facility for his mental health.

Ugle-Hagan joined Gold Coast during last year’s trade period.

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“We told Jamarra in front of the playing group this morning, and I’m not going to lie, there was a tear from player and probably the coach as well,” coach Damien Hardwick said of Ugle-Hagan’s selection on Thursday morning.

“It’s an incredible story, it’s been 596 days since his last AFL game. He’s done a power of work for us, we’ve made him earn it, and we’ve been so impressed by what he’s brought.

“A lot of people have done a lot of work with Jamarra to get him the opportunity to make his club debut.

“We’re excited about what’s he going to offer. What we do know is we think he’s going to be a big part of our future moving forward.”

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There was a debate over Ugle-Hagan’s place in the Dogs’ team for the 2024 elimination final, when the star forward eventually lined up on the bench. He ended the match with four disposals.

The Bulldogs were soundly beaten by the Hawks in that final.

Ugle-Hagan told the Rip Through It podcast in June last year he had “suicidal thoughts” during his months-long time away from the game.

“All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,” Ugle-Hagan said on the podcast.

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“It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate, so I couldn’t drive – I just didn’t trust myself driving.

“There were times when I would think about, to be honest with you, [that it was] just not even worth living.

“I didn’t want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found basement ... suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently, especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time – the way I was isolated and put out in public.”

Support is available from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 and MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.

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Magpies ‘conservative’ with Moore

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Collingwood captain Darcy Moore will have to wait to make his long-awaited return from injury, with the Magpies opting to play it safe.

Midfielders Jordan De Goey (concussion) and Steele Sidebottom (hip) have proven their fitness and will line up for the Anzac Day match against Essendon.

Star defender Moore had been bullish he would feature in Saturday’s clash, after his first game of the season in round four did not last past the first quarter.

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Faced with a five-day turnaround to play third-placed Hawthorn in round eight, Collingwood coach Craig McRae said pushing Moore wasn’t worth the risk.

After the Hawks, the 11th-placed Magpies (3-3) will hit the road to play sixth-placed Geelong and ladder-leaders Sydney.

“Are we being conservative [with Moore]? Probably. Probably a little bit,” McRae said.

“He plays this game and he might miss the five-day break. It seems a bit silly then, doesn’t it?

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“But ultimately, he hasn’t quite done enough load, so that’s where we stand at the moment, and I think he’ll benefit from it.”

McRae said evergreen Scott Pendlebury will also play, but flagged the veteran midfielder will be rested in the immediate future.

“I’m planning to catch up with him today. We’re going to have a chat about what that next period looks like,” McRae added.

“We’re just concentrating on if he’s fit and available to play this game. I’d be surprised if there’s not a detailed plan of what it looks like next week.”

Elsewhere, Carlton coach Michael Voss said ruck Liam Reidy will play his fifth AFL game against Fremantle after Marc Pittonet underwent hand surgery.

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“To be fair to him, he’s really improved himself over the course of the last little while and through pre-season.

“He’s really pushed ‘Pitto’, and I think as a result he’s probably made ‘Pitto’ better.”

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More:

AFL 2026

Gold Coast Suns

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Danny Russell is a racing writer for The Age.

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