2025 was a landmark year for Gold Coast football club. They made ( and won ) a final for the first time.They looked really hard to beat at home and have a crop of talented kids ready to explode.Heading into Hardwick’s 3rd year, the team is really shaping up as a premiership contender. Can Trac add that extra spice to get the Suns into the top four. There’s a heap going on up the Coast let’s take a look.
The Lock
Christian Petracca ( Fwd ) $522.300
Let’s just start with some facts. Trac will be a top 6 Forward. He is arguably underpriced, due to Melbourne messing with his role last year. The GC have a fairly favorable early draw. 40% of coaches already own him, and the alternatives are few and far between. Sounds easy yeah ? Well here’s where things get tricky. The Coast have in my opinion the worst Bye fixture of all 18 teams. If you start Trac he will have two Byes ( Round 3 and 12 ) before a heap of players even have a single Bye. There’s certainly an argument to avoid starting Petracca. Here’s the thing though, what if he does a “Heeney 2024” . What if he bursts out of the gates and his price blows out and he’s hard to get in ? What then ? This could be the pick that defines this year’s SC season. To Trac or not to Trac. Even with the Byes structure, I’m finding it really hard to leave him out.
The Dark Horse
Charlie Ballard ( Def ) $207.800
Charlie missed all of 2025 with a ACL injury, this makes him super cheap and possibly an option this year. Charlie is a 196cm intercepting defender. His best year was 2023 where managed to average 71.9. He’s currently priced ~40 point average. If he get back to close to his best, he will make cash, and be a pretty safe selection. The down side is he has missed a heap of footy and I’m not 100% sure he just walks back into this strong GC out fit. You also maybe able to get a similar averaging rookie for $50K cheaper. Keep an eye on preseason games, If looks locked in, he might be worth the extra $ on Job security alone.
The Break Out
Jamarra Ugle-Hagen ( Fwd ) $214.100
It’s hard to know what to expect from Jamarra on the Coast. So far so good, with some positive training reports. Can he crack into the team from round one ? He’s certainly cheap enough in a Forward line without a heap of standout rookie options. There’s still a heap of water to go under the Bridge , before we can seriously consider Jamarra for our SuperCoach sides. Keep him watch listed though. There’s a chance he could burst into contention, in one of the practice matches.
The Rookie
Zeke Uwland ( Def/ Mid ) $199.000
Zeke follows his Brother to the Suns, through some academy pick magic. Zeke was the standout underage player in the 2024 season , before succumbing to injury and missing a fair chunk of last year. A prodigious ball winner with comparisons to Errol Gulden. This kid was specifically told by Damien Hardwick to be ready to play senior footy round one 2026. He should get a wing spot, and despite the price, you should probably put him in your SC side. Kids a Jet. Get him in.
Lastly on the Coast. I truly love the look of both Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell as Elite Midfielders this season. The Early Bye makes them very hard to start, but I have no problem looking to them as early season upgrade targets, due to their great early fixture.
Let us know in the comments, who you’re thinking of starting from the Suns.
Cheers FT.