AFL Stars Rampe and Ugle-Hagan Face Uncertain Futures
Veterans Dane Rampe and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan remain unsigned as clubs evaluate their participation for the 2027 AFL season.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Football
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AFL players Dane Rampe and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan are currently without contracts for the 2027 season. Both clubs are managing the situations as they plan their rosters for the upcoming year.
Why it matters
Sydney is providing veteran Dane Rampe time to consider his physical readiness for another campaign, while Gold Coast assesses Jamarra Ugle-Hagan following concerns about his professionalism during the trade period.
Dane Rampe played 17 matches in 2026 and will be 37 years old in 2027, while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan managed just three appearances for Gold Coast in 2026. Ugle-Hagan also missed the entire 2025 season.
The players
Dane Rampe
A veteran player for Sydney who has experienced four grand final losses during his career.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
A player currently attached to Gold Coast who faced scrutiny for his actions during the recent trade period.
The details
Sydney remains focused on a 2027 premiership bid as they allow Rampe space to evaluate his body. Gold Coast may require Ugle-Hagan to complete a full summer training programme before offering a deal, following reports he played in a local match without permission while in Victoria.
Timeline
Ugle-Hagan missed the entire 2025 AFL season.
Rampe played 17 games and Ugle-Hagan played three in 2026.
Players remain without contracts for the 2027 season.
Season Trajectory
These contract stalemates reflect the wider roster management cycle that occurs following the AFL trade period. Both clubs must decide if these players fit into their future premiership strategies before pre-season training intensifies.
Sydney must now account for Rampe's potential absence in their defensive rotation, impacting their depth for a 2027 premiership run. Gold Coast is effectively using the summer training period as an extended trial for Ugle-Hagan to determine his long-term roster viability.
The takeaway
Clubs must balance the loyalty shown to veteran players with the need to enforce disciplinary standards for younger athletes. Players considering their future should weigh their physical endurance against the rigorous demands of a modern AFL campaign.
Further reading
Find more analysis on roster moves and player management in the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nine.
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