Triathlons, broken backs and Pendlebury: Inside breakout Sun’s quest for redemption

There was a time when Bodhi Uwland feared his dreams of lighting up the AFL would never eventuate. Wearing a back brace, he began to forget what it even felt like to run, let alone kick a ball.

For nine months, the freshly drafted Gold Coast Sun wore the supportive gear 23 hours a day as he struggled to recover from severe stress fractures that threatened to end his career before it could begin.

The monotony of his days should have been draining. They did, at least, leave him contemplating what his next move would be should his time be called.

Yet, as he reveals to this masthead, it shifted his focus to a new passion: cycling. That outlet has led him to his first triathlon in Noosa on November 1 – a journey which began four years ago when that brace was first fitted to his back.

“It’s pretty cool reflecting on four years ago, being in the back brace and worrying – I forgot what it was like to run, to be honest, because I didn’t run for over a year,” Uwland says.

“It obviously took a lot of work and time to get to this point, so I can’t forget that.

“That’s really where I fell in love with cycling, when I was in that back brace, because it was one of the only things I could do fitness wise ... and has led towards this triathlon path.”

For five days a week, Uwland has been in triathlon training mode.

He has combined open water swims, long runs and indoor cycling stints on a Zwift bike with performance tracking and workload technology in anticipation for the gruelling challenge.

It’s a task he’s sharing with veteran teammate Sam Collins, who conceded that while Uwland may play the “happy to be there” card, he was determined to ensure his fellow defender fell behind him.

That comment was music to Uwland’s ears. “I might be in Collo’s head,” he joked. “I’m happy about a little bit of head noise for him. He’s a little bit worried because I’m OK on the bike, and I’ve definitely got him in the swim, but he runs really well for a big guy.”

Once the triathlon is over, Uwland will turn his focus to avenging the Suns’ 2026 capitulation and entering the preseason ready to grow under the leadership of incoming recruit Scott Pendlebury.

The road back, breakout season and family union

While Uwland’s time on the sidelines led to “many periods of doubt” whether he would take the field, the most daunting battle came the following year.

“The most crucial period was the six to 12 months after I got out of the back brace and was able to move again. I was playing a lot of catch up,” he says.

“I think I played three AFL games the year after my injury, and then quite a few at VFL, and then the year after that is when I really broke out.

“I believe in the lag effect a lot of the time. I feel like I put a lot of work in, but it doesn’t necessarily come out straight away. But eventually, it will.”

Despite the Suns’ 2026 freefall, Uwland’s past three campaigns have proven the “lag effect” was real. Having finished second in the Gold Coast’s Club Champion count in 2024, he clinched the award in 2026.

Much of the credit stems from playing alongside younger brother Zeke – the club’s star draftee who battled stress fractures of his own before his AFL initiation.

“It’s a pretty unique thing, I don’t think there are too many brothers in the league who get to play with each other. It’s a special thing we get to experience, and I think we’ve both benefited from it,” Uwland says.

“I think he’s benefited from having a brother who’s been through the system for five years, and then I get the perspective of someone who’s coming for their first year and helping guide them through their journey.”

The Pendlebury chapter

The Suns entered 2026 expected to take their historic semi-final run the year before further, particularly after the recruitment of Melbourne Demons premiership-winner Christian Petracca.

Instead, after a bright start, they suffered a 10-game losing streak. But Uwland saw promise on the horizon, given seven of their 14 losses came by 20 points or fewer.

Those tight defeats have, in part, fuelled Uwland’s desire to pursue his first triathlon, adamant that heightened fitness levels will serve him better once the Suns find themselves in narrow tussles again in 2027.

“We’re not as far away as people may think; we did lose a lot of games by small margins, so if we flip a couple of those we’re in the mix,” he says.

“Doing my part and trying to be as fit as I possibly can for the season is all I can do, and bringing some others with me on that journey will help raise the floor and be better for those situations late in games.”

Key to the Gold Coast eradicating their late-game fadeouts may lie in their recruitment, as Collingwood superstar Pendlebury arrives on the Glitter Strip.

The 20-year, 442-game veteran is poised to inject two premierships worth of class into the Suns’ developing roster. But his insights into handling himself off the field is what Uwland is eager to gain.

“He’s the industry standard on what it means to be professional and keep your body in good condition. He’s been playing for 20-odd years now, so he’s going to be the new benchmark that’s going to be set,” Uwland says.

“It can be great, especially for the young guys coming through having a figure like him to look up to and compare themselves to. You can’t be playing most weeks at 38 without having a great routine in terms of recovery and professionalism.

“What he does to prepare and recover is going to be the main thing that guys will take away, and then his general experience and calmness in certain moments will be appreciated by the group.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.