Chasing The Dream: The Zeke Uwland rise that reflects AFL’s growth in Queensland

Zeke Uwland could be standing in the middle of People First Stadium, opening a new AFL season in less than three months – but playing Aussie rules in a rugby state hasn’t always been easy.

Zeke Uwland used to cop flak for playing Australian rules in a rugby league state.

Now, in less than four months, he could be standing in the middle of a packed People First Stadium opening a new AFL season.

The Burleigh Bombers junior officially became a Gold Coast Sun at pick 2 in last week’s draft and, if the first phone call with his new coach is anything to go by, an Opening Round debut looms.

“Get ready, I want you to play as soon as you can” was the message from Damien Hardwick in the minutes after the Suns matched West Coast’s bid and Uwland’s name was called.

“It’s just nuts, I just can’t come to terms with the fact that I’m an AFL player,” the Gold Coast Academy graduate told CODE Sports’ Chasing The Dream backstage.

“I’ve always looked up to people like my brother (Bodhi) who is an AFL player and just can’t believe it.

“I got a bit emotional which is unlike me and I think it just shows how much it means.

“I can’t wait, it’s my number one focus now to put my best foot forward and I really want to play round 1.”

WATCH EVERY EPISODE OF THE CHASING THE DREAM DOCUSERIES BELOW

Uwland has seen first-hand the foothold the game is having in his home city – but there was a time when his now-girlfriend didn’t even know he played.

Speaking on the three-part AFL Draft documentary, the teenager opened up on the difficulties he faced as a young athlete playing a sport that was barely finding its feet on the home turf of the NRL.

“Growing up you’d get bullied for playing AFL,” Uwland said.

“You get all the nicknames associated with it but now there’s been big growth. Even in my friendship group, they are all converted from soccer and rugby to AFL.

“My girlfriend actually went to school with me and she didn’t know that I played footy until when we started dating.”

Zeke Uwland with his family and friends after his name was called in the draft. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

And with fellow Gold Coast Academy graduate Dylan Patterson. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Uwland is another product of the AFL’s northern academy system after following his brothers to Burleigh Bombers as a kid.

Fellow Suns Academy members Dylan Patterson (pick 5), Jai Murray (pick 17), Beau Addinsall (pick 18) and Koby Coulson (pick 46) also joined the club in the national draft.

Veteran AFL draft expert Kevin Sheehan said the academy helped stop the talented footballer from being drawn to rugby league.

“It’s so encouraging at the minute to see boys like that (Zeke) who can play rugby, there’s no doubt he can play rugby, he’d be a star at that game as (Sydney captain) Callum Mills was, he had a choice back in his day” Sheehan said.

“Up there we are in fierce competition with all the other sports and we gotta win over the Zeke Uwlands that are terrific young sportspersons that would be great for our game.”

“(before the academies) only about 8 per cent of draftees were coming from northern Australia… it’s up to about 12 or 13 now.”

“Our dream will be 20 per cent.”

The new Suns at their first pre-season training session. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Suns Academy has been a runaway success, with 23 graduates going on to play at the top level across AFL and AFLW.

However, access to prospects like Uwland has drawn the ire of clubs based in AFL heartlands, none more than St. Kilda.

The Saints have been particularly vocal in 2025, as northern academies potentially tie up as many as three of the first five picks. Ross Lyon’s well known ‘Nepo Baby’ sledge was the flashpoint of this debate during the season.

Longtime Suns recruiter and new list manager Kall Burns is adamant the academies are essential to the success of AFL in Queensland, regardless of the criticism.

“It can’t be understated what impact the academy has on the entire community, from engaging people, getting them to wear our colours,” Burns said.

“The friends, the family, it’s not just solely about the football, it’s about the greater landscape of the game in southeast Queensland and North Queensland, which is part of the zone,” Burns said.

“But it’s also that broader sense of responsibility to the Queensland market and engaging fans and bringing them to the game.”

WATCH EVERY EPISODE NOW

Originally published as Chasing The Dream: The Zeke Uwland rise that reflects AFL’s growth in Queensland