Cornes: Jamarra's move to the Suns has been a 'failed experiment'

Despite having only been with the Gold Coast Suns for nine months, Kane Cornes has seen enough to determine that it's been a failed experiment by the Queensland club to bring in former No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Ugle-Hagan joined the Suns at the start of the season on a one-year deal after not playing a game of AFL in 2025 for the Western Bulldogs, having dealt with mental health issues resulting in an extended period of leave.

In a new environment away from the Melbourne football bubble, it was hoped that the key forward would rediscover his form with a clause in his contract guaranteeing a second year should he play 12 games in the AFL.

But the 24-year-old has struggled to find form with injuries, resulting in only three games played in the AFL and seven in the VFL, for a combined goal total of 16.

The former No.1 pick has also dealt with some off-field controversy in recent times, with a video surfacing of him and teammate Mac Andrew leaving a disabled toilet at Suncorp Stadium during Game III of this year’s State of Origin series.

Both players have denied any insinuation of misconduct.

Following all this, Cornes believes the former Bulldog is unlikely to be at the club next year.

This is despite comments earlier in the month from Hardwick saying he was convinced Ugle-Hagan is 'a long-termer' for the Suns, believing he is capable of hitting his straps in 2027 with another pre-season under his belt.

“You'd have to think it's been a failed experiment with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan,” Cornes said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“I'm willing to call that, what he was doing in that situation with a young player who the club has invested a lot of money and faith in (is) beggars' belief.

“Look, he's played for three games, and I'd be surprised if he's there next year.

“It's been a risk that no other club was willing to take and Gold Coast clearly thought that they were on the path to winning this year's premiership.

“You don't go about their list build the way they did if you don't and that investment, that risk, that faith has backfired dramatically on and now off the field, which is even more serious.”

Gerard Whateley noted the club now finds themselves in a poor situation.

“The leaders weren't on board with it,” Whateley added.

“These are high-wire decisions, and it's always in the, did it work or not.

"But when you take a decision that your leadership is not in on, and you go, I'll make this work, and it hasn't worked, that's a poor scenario.”

The Suns will look to break their seven-game losing streak against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday at People First Stadium.

That starts from 3:15pm AEST.