AFL 2026, latest news for Thursday April 23

There were teary scenes up in Carrara when Damien Hardwick announced a big-name recruit would be making his club debut.

Plus, a review into Christian Petracca’s horrific 2024 injuries has been completed … 681 days after the game. More in AFL DAILY.

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TEARS IN EMOTIONAL JAMARRA SCENES

There were tears shed when Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick revealed to the playing group that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would be making his club debut on Saturday against Hawthorn.

Ugle-Hagan, who’s endured a 596-day spell in between senior games, had been made to earn his first Suns berth in the VFL, having also undergone a minor knee procedure early this season.

But after booting five goals in the reserves last weekend, the former No.1 draft pick was announced to play against Hawthorn in Launceston.

“There was a tear from the player and probably the coach as well,” Hardwick told reporters on Thursday morning.

“It’s an incredible story. He’s done a power of work. We’ve made him earn it, but we’ve been so impressed by what he’s brought.”

In a video posted to the Suns’ social media platforms, both Ugle-Hagan and Hardwick were emotional as the coach announced the news in front of the players.

“There are numbers in football, and this is a significant one — 596 … you look at this number and you wonder what it might be, but it’s important to someone in this room,” Hardwick said.

‘Dimma’ then clicked to the next slide in his presentation, which revealed that Ugle-Hagan had been picked to debut. It was met with raucous cheers from his teammates.

“I’m getting emotional speaking about this,” Hardwick continued.

“The great thing about footy is redemption. It provides an incredible opportunity for people to get back something that they’ve missed for a long period of time — you’re going to make me cry, so don’t.

“But what I will say, mate, is you’ve had an incredible journey, you’ve been through a hell of a lot, but now it’s your story to write.

“This club has given you a vehicle to kickstart your career again, and we’re so excited to go and watch you play on the weekend.

“You’ve worked your backside off, we’ve made you wait for it, but more importantly, we know you’re going to be here for the long term.”

It’s not yet clear who Ugle-Hagan will line up alongside in Hardwick’s forward line, with Jed Walter partnering Ben King in attack last week while Ethan Read lined up on a wing.

REVIEW INTO STAR’S HORRIFIC INJURIES OVER… 681 DAYS LATER

The AFL and AFL Players’ Association have concluded their review into ex-Demon Christian Petracca’s horrific King’s Birthday 2024 injuries — 681 days later — resulting in four recommendations to emerge.

Petracca underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a Grade 5 lacerated spleen, four broken ribs and a punctured lung sustained during the Demons’ loss to Collingwood.

Petracca, who was traded to Gold Coast last October, was allowed to return to the field of play nearly two years ago, with the superstar reported to have expressed disappointment in his club’s handling of the incident in the aftermath.

Speaking on Channel 7 on Wednesday night, Morris revealed the four recommendations:

1) Changes to pre-match briefings, including more rigour around what is said to medical staff before a game and detailing local hospitals and necessary communication channels in the case of an emergency.

2) Emergency management support, aligning a consistent gameday approach across all states and venues

3) A mandatory biannual emergency care course for club medical staff every two years

4) A tightened audit process, including the automatic reviews of all emergency match-day incidents

Asked why the review took so long, Morris said: “Because the AFL is a slow-moving beast.

“Part of the reason (former players union chief executive) Paul Marsh was done at the AFL Players’ Association — by his own accord — was he was sick of how long everything takes at the AFL — the bureaucracy that the AFL is.”

DEES ‘STILL NOT SURE’ ABOUT PETTY CONCUSSION

Melbourne defender Harry Petty will undergo more tests this week as Melbourne continues to investigate the circumstances into his jarring health episode during his club’s win over Brisbane.

Petty on Sunday was unstable on his feet and needed assistance from the ground after taking an uncontested kick during the third quarter of the Demons’ win over Brisbane on Sunday. The defender was immediately taken into the rooms and did not return to the field.

King on Sunday night said Perry hinted at having blurred vision before he was ruled out with an unusual head injury.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, King said it was a “unique situation” for Petty and the Demons, who were “still doing some tests with him.”

“We’re still not really sure exactly what’s happened,” King said before the Demons’ Wednesday training session.

“Because of his history, we’ve put him in (concussion) protocols at the moment, because that’s the most obvious, but we’re still not 100 per cent sure that’s the case.

“There’s still a range of things it could be.”

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