Gold Coast defender Bodhi Uwland talks playing on Jake Stringer and finding balance at the back
There are few tougher tasks in footy than stopping a rampant Jake Stringer. Bodhi Uwland tells CALLUM DICK why he wants that job after emerging as a key member of Gold Coast’s backline.
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Rising Sun Bodhi Uwland wants for one of the hardest jobs in footy — containing Jake Stringer.
The 20-year-old has already been saddled with some of the toughest tasks in footy this season: Shai Bolton in Opening Round, Izak Rankine the following week and Tyson Stengle up in Darwin.
Now he has put his hand up to lock down in-form Bombers forward Stringer in a match-up that could define the result of Sunday’s clash at People First Stadium.
“If I get the opportunity I’d love to go to him. I’m certainly up for the challenge,” Uwland told this masthead.
He might not have the swagger of Mac Andrew or brutish demeanour of Sam Collins, but the unassuming Uwland has a supreme sense of self-confidence and desire to test himself against the very best in the AFL.
His athletic profile allows him to play both small or tall. It is why Damien Hardwick hand-picked the 188cm Suns Academy product early in his tenure to be the versatile lockdown defender that all quality sides search for.
“I think I’m the ultimate competitor,” Uwland said.
“I like the challenge of playing on whoever, be it small or tall. That versatility is a crucial part of my game. I want to be able to play on the Stringers, the Shai Boltons, and the taller opponents as well.”
Stringer, Essendon’s jack-in-the-box forward, is compiling a close to career-best campaign – certainly since his move to the red and black in 2018 – and his game breaking ability is a big reason why the Bombers sit second on the ladder at the midway point of the season.
Last weekend he threatened to blow Richmond away with three first-quarter goals and has a penchant for performing on the big stage.
A Sunday afternoon clash at Carrara might be a long way from the bright lights of Dreamtime at the ‘G but the Bombers’ forward profiles as one of the key danger men for the Suns.
“He’s almost like a ‘moments’ player,” Uwland said of Stringer.
“Where he kicks his goals from it’s always from the boundary, outside 50 or after fending off a couple of opponents, so you always have to be switched on and not give him any space in side 50.
“He’s capable of doing many great things on the field.”
Uwland is one of the great success stories out of the Suns Academy, even before the talent pathway program made national headlines with the four first-rounders it produced last year.
After playing just three games in 2023, Uwland has featured nine times under Hardwick. But it has not all been smooth sailing.
The Gold Coaster was dropped after the loss to Sydney in round 7 and sent back to the VFL with clear instructions to become more damaging with ball in-hand.
He returned to the AFL side against North Melbourne in Darwin and was among the best on the ground, earning heavy praise from his coach and teammates.
“I’ve had that ball-winning ability from my junior days playing midfield, so I know how to find the footy it’s just about having the confidence to go from VFL to AFL level, getting the ball in my hands and trusting what I can do in those situations,” Uwland said.
“It’s a challenge while playing on some of the hardest forwards. Often you’re not worrying so much about your offensive output.
“It’s about finding that balance of knowing when I beat my opponent, how can I explore my offensive capabilities. It’s something I’m still learning and sharpening in terms of finding that fine line, but I feel I’m getting better at it each week.”
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Originally published as Gold Coast defender Bodhi Uwland talks playing on Jake Stringer and finding balance at the back
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