Zeke Uwland

Uwland was born and raised on the Gold Coast^[2] where he attended All Saints Anglican School throughout his childhood.^[3] He is of Dutch descent and his grandfather moved from the Netherlands to Australia after World War II had concluded.^[4] Zeke's eldest brother, Bodhi, is also a professional footballer with the Gold Coast Suns.^[5] A foundation member and lifelong fan of the Gold Coast Suns,^[6] Uwland played junior football for the Burleigh Bombers and was invited to join the Gold Coast Suns Academy at the age of 12 years old.^[7] A month after his 16th birthday, Uwland made his senior debut for Burleigh^[8] and was voted best on ground in Burleigh's 2023 senior grand final winning team later that year while playing alongside his brother Jarrah and future Suns' teammate Lachie Gulbin.^[9][10] Uwland was also named in the 2023 U16 All Australian team after an outstanding national championships campaign.^[11]

In 2024, at 17 years of age, he made his VFL debut for the Gold Coast Suns and was later selected to represent the Allies as a bottom ager in the U18 National Championships where he excelled and was named in the U18 All Australian team at the conclusion of the tournament.^[12] He injured his back in late 2024 and missed the majority of the 2025 season but was still considered a top prospect amongst draft experts.^[13] Outside of football, Uwland is studying a law/commerce degree at Griffith University and works as a paralegal at a law firm on the Gold Coast.^[14]

Uwland was drafted to the Gold Coast Suns with pick 2 in the 2025 AFL draft.^[15]

Updated to the end of round 7, 2026.^[16]