Chasing The Dream: The kitchen accident that almost robbed AFL Draft of its golden boot

His brother was screaming. Mum called an ambulance. And on a dramatic day at the Uwland family home in Burleigh Heads, the AFL dream of the draft’s best player was almost severed – literally.

Zeke Uwland’s left foot is the envy of the 2025 draft class but 16 years ago the prospective No. 1 overall pick went within inches of losing it – and his AFL dream.

A kitchen accident in the Uwland family home at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast almost severed the big toe on his left foot – a singular tendon keeping two-year-old Zeke’s future AFL dream alive while mum Michelle scrambled to call an ambulance.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE 1 OF CHASING THE DREAM BELOW

Zeke Uwland after a under-12 grand final win with Burleigh Bombers.

And in the Burleigh jumper ahead of this year’s AFL Draft. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I was just opening the heavy pots and pans (drawer) as you do when you’re a two-year-old,” Zeke told CODE Sports in Episode One of Chasing the Dream.

“I pulled it open and my feet were right under it and it just dropped straight onto my toe, probably 20 or 30 kilos.

“The toe is detached but the tendon is holding it on so yeah, it’s pretty dramatic.

“(I) got quite lucky. I’m sure I wouldn’t be in this position if the toe did fully come off.”

With some help from a neighbour the ambulance soon arrived and he was rushed into surgery where the toe was reattached.

To look at it now nobody would know – not even a scar to serve as a reminder.

Only the memories, passed on to Zeke when he was old enough to understand what had happened.

“I am lucky when I think about it, but at the age of two I wasn’t really worried about my AFL career,” he said with a chuckle.

“I would be now if it happened, that would be my first thought, but very fortunate it didn’t come off.

“If that toe had come off I certainly would be no chance of getting drafted.”

Now he is more than a chance. Some consider him to be the best player in this year’s draft pool.

If not for his Suns Academy ties, he could be the first name called out on November 19.

Regardless he is expected to be among the first five players off the board – and the Suns will move swiftly to match any bid on the smooth-moving midfielder who has been likened to Sydney superstar Errol Gulden.

Originally published as Chasing The Dream: The kitchen accident that almost robbed AFL Draft of its golden boot