Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is reportedly closing in on a new one-year deal with Gold Coast as he looks to build on his first season at the Suns.
The former number one draft pick joined Gold Coast from the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2025 after his time at Whitten Oval came to an end following a difficult period away from football.
While Ugle-Hagan managed only three AFL appearances for the Suns in 2026, he showed promising form at VFL level.
The talented forward kicked a club-high 26 goals from 11 appearances in the reserves before an ankle injury suffered at training in May interrupted his season.
Despite speculation that Gold Coast could make Ugle-Hagan earn another opportunity through the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period, CODE Sports reporter Jon Ralph said a fresh contract was being discussed.
Speaking on Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle, Ralph said the Suns were keen for Ugle-Hagan to return for pre-season in an improved physical condition.
"The Suns have told Jamarra that they'd love him to lose four or five kilograms (and) he's on board with that," Ralph said on Midweek Tackle.
"This is not a 'demand', we do live in very sensitive times (but) they're very keen for him to be more mobile.
"His management tells me today he's 1000 per cent improved from rock-bottom, which was the end of his Bulldogs career.
"There's a one-year deal in the works and a couple of meetings ahead - he had a great year off the field (but) just couldn't get going (on the field)."
Ugle-Hagan entered the AFL with enormous expectations after the Western Bulldogs selected him with the first overall selection in the 2020 AFL National Draft.
His move to Gold Coast offered the key forward an opportunity to rebuild his career, and despite limited senior football during his first season at the club, his VFL form showed he remains capable of having a significant impact.
Meanwhile, Tiwi footballer Maurice Rioli Jr also appears set to remain at Richmond.
Rioli is expected to be offered a new contract for the 2027 season after playing 10 AFL matches for the Tigers this year.
The exciting small forward has now played 59 AFL games since making his senior debut in 2021.
Rioli originally joined Richmond through the father-son rule in 2020, continuing his family's strong connection with the club.
The 2026 season was his sixth at Punt Road.
