Gold Coast Suns defender Bodhi Uwland will contest his first triathlon in Noosa on November 1, four years after wearing a back brace for nine months due to severe stress fractures that left him unable to run for over a year.
Uwland was drafted by the Suns but spent nine months in a back brace 23 hours a day as he recovered from stress fractures that threatened his football career. He took up cycling as one of the only things he could do for fitness, which led him to triathlon.
“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 told this masthead.
He has been training five days a week, combining open water swims, long runs and indoor cycling. He is sharing the challenge with veteran Suns teammate Sam Collins. “I might be in Collo’s head,” Uwland 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.”
Uwland, who won the Suns’ club champion award in 2026, said he and younger brother Zeke have benefited from playing together. “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,” he said.
After the triathlon, Uwland will turn his focus to the 2027 AFL season, with Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury joining the Suns. Uwland said Pendlebury is “the industry standard on what it means to be professional and keep your body in good condition.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Uwland’s triathlon debut highlights the mental and physical resilience required to overcome a career-threatening injury.
- His experience could inspire other athletes facing similar setbacks.
- The 2027 Suns season will be closely watched as Pendlebury’s arrival and Uwland’s fitness could shift the team’s trajectory.
Background
Bodhi Uwland was drafted by the Gold Coast Suns but soon suffered severe stress fractures that required a back brace for nine months. He could not run for over a year and turned to cycling, which eventually led to triathlon. Despite the Suns’ 2026 slump, Uwland won the club champion award. His brother Zeke, also a Sun, joined him in 2026. Scott Pendlebury, a 20-year veteran with 442 games, will move from Collingwood to the Suns for the 2027 season.
What to Watch
- Uwland’s performance in the Noosa Triathlon on November 1.
- How his triathlon training translates to on-field fitness for the 2027 AFL season.
- The impact of Scott Pendlebury’s professionalism on the Suns’ young roster.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBodhi Uwland is set to make his triathlon debut in Noosa on November 1.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “That outlet has led him to his first triathlon in Noosa on November 1”
- SupportedUwland’s triathlon debut follows his recovery from back injuries.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “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.”
- SupportedUwland credits cycling as an outlet during the time he wore a back brace.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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 ...””
- SupportedUwland wore a back brace for nine months, 23 hours a day, while recovering from severe stress fractures.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “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.”
- SupportedUwland’s stress fractures left him unable to run for over a year.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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.”
- SupportedUwland said he did not run for over a year.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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.”
- SupportedUwland has been training five days a week, combining open-water swims, long runs and indoor cycling.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “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”
- SupportedUwland is sharing the triathlon challenge with veteran teammate Sam Collins.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “It’s a task he’s sharing with veteran teammate Sam Collins”
- SupportedUwland joked that he might be in Collins’ head and said he was good on the bike and had Collins in the swim, while Collins ran well for a big guy.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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.””
- SupportedUwland won the Suns’ Club Champion award in 2026.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Having finished second in the Gold Coast’s Club Champion count in 2024, he clinched the award in 2026.”
- SupportedUwland said he and his younger brother Zeke have benefited from playing together.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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.”
- SupportedUwland said Scott Pendlebury is “the industry standard on what it means to be professional and keep your body in good condition.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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.”