AFL contract news: Bodhi Uwland signs two-year deal with Gold Coast Suns

Breakout Gold Coast defender Bodhi Uwland’s purple patch of form has been rewarded with a new two-year deal.

Breakout Gold Coast defender Bodhi Uwland has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Suns until at least the end of 2026.

After playing just three games in his first two seasons at the club due to fitness and form, the 20 year old has featured 14 times so far this year and been one of the Suns’ most consistent performers.

From spending months in a brace and missing the entirety of his debut AFL season with stress fractures in his back, to becoming one of the first picked in Damien Hardwick’s side, Uwland’s incredible rise from rookie draft pick-up to AFL staple is one of the stories of the season.

Bodhi Uwland has been one of the Suns’ most consistent players this season. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“Especially early days just fighting for that next contract, to now be in a position to extend for a couple of years at a time, I am very grateful,” Uwland told this masthead.

“There were some blessings in disguise along the way in terms of injury and being dropped. I’ve obviously come out stronger and it’s put me in a good position now.

“I’ve probably learned I can do a lot more than I thought I was capable of, in terms of training and getting my body right and pushing myself to limits I didn’t know I had.”

Uwland has quickly become a favourite of Hardwick’s, who has not been afraid to hand him some of the toughest assignments in footy this season.

The coach will often offer unprompted praise for his young defender, who has already drawn comparisons to Hardwick for his no-nonsense and uncompromising approach to playing.

“I’m a bit too young to have watching him play back in the day. I was born in 2003, that was towards the end of his career I’m pretty sure so I didn’t get too many chances to watch him play,” Uwland joked.

“But obviously that’s what I pride myself in is my competitiveness, one-on-one contest and being tough in the contest. If I can draw those comparisons (to Hardwick) then I’m definitely happy with that.”

Hardwick’s presence has been a major boon for Uwland this season. From the first pre-season game against Brisbane he trusted the young defender with taking on All-Australian Charlie Cameron.

He has since played on the likes of Toby Greene, Shai Bolton, Izak Rankine and Jake Stringer – the latter of whom Uwland held goalless in a career-best showing that earned him a Rising Star nomination.

Uwland has drawn comparisons with Suns coach Damien Hardwick during his playing days. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“(Hardwick) has been great for me just learning a particular role and honing in on that craft,” Uwland said.

“He’s trusted in me each week to play on some quality forwards. When I was dropped he was very clear in his messaging on what he wanted me to do and I was rewarded once I delivered on that in the VFL.”

Gold Coast vice-captain and fullback Sam Collins declared Uwland should be well and truly in the Rising Star conversation this year.

“He’s a sensational footballer, a real competitor and someone I absolutely love playing with,” Collins said.

“He’s flying at the moment. He’s a consistent performer and a really reliable teammate and I think as a player that’s all you really ask for. If he can keep performing the way he has been we’ll be a better team for it.”

Originally published as AFL contract news: Bodhi Uwland signs two-year deal with Gold Coast Suns