Hardwick admits Suns’ toilet video ‘not a good look’: Cats’ star sent for ankle surgery

July 17, 2026 — 1:47pm

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In today’s AFL Briefing:

Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick has explained the actions of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Mac Andrew after they were caught exiting a disabled toilet.

Geelong’s premiership hopes have taken a hit with Max Holmes sent for surgery on Friday.

‘Not a good look’: Hardwick opens up on Suns’ stars disabled toilet video

Jon Pierik

Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick said players Mac Andrew and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan acted inappropriately after the pair were filmed leaving a disabled toilet at Suncorp Stadium.

Andrew and Ugle-Hagan were at last week’s State of Origin clash when the incident happened.

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Hardwick said on Friday the club had sought answers from the pair.

“It’s not an incident, two guys walked into a disabled toilet – it’s inappropriate,” Hardwick said.

“We spoke to them, and we understand it’s not a good look, and we asked the players what their response was, and we worked through that, and we believe what they said.

“It’s one of those situations we spoke about. It’s not a great look using the disabled toilet. We spoke about that – it’s disrespectful to the accessible people that need it. So, we work through that and we move on.”

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Ugle-Hagan has sought to rebuild his AFL career without off-field drama in his first year with the Suns.

His final season with the Bulldogs was marred by mental health issues, and even finding himself at the scene of a shooting at a Prahran nightclub.

He did not play football at any level last weekend, and will also miss this weekend because of a calf issue. A decision on his future at the club will be made at the end of the season.

“We think he’s a capable AFL player. This year was always going to be a pivot year to see where he’s at and where he responds, and we like what he brings,” Hardwick said.

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“We’ve just got to get him fit enough and strong enough to play AFL football. When you’ve been out of the game 18 months it’s hard, there’s not a harder sport in the world to come back and try and play when you’ve missed some time, so he’s working his way through that.

“We’re going to have these niggles along the way that sort of pop up every now and then.

“He’s had ankles, he’s had a calf, I think this is his second calf (injury). We’ve just got to make sure we’ve worked him through it and get him on the park because he can play the game. We just want to see more of it.”

Andrew will have a key role to play against the Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium on Sunday, the Suns desperate to end a seven-game losing skid and keep themselves in contention for the wildcard round.

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Hardwick was so despondent after last weekend’s loss to Adelaide that he all but declared the Suns were no chance of making the finals, a claim club chief executive Mark Evans and chairman Bob East walked back.

The former Richmond premiership coach said he apologised to his players for his comment, conceding he had been overly emotional. He said the time for talking was over, and he needed to coach better.

“We’ve got to go out there and play the game we know we can play,” Hardwick said.

“We’re looking forward to that this week versus the Bulldogs who are in a similar position as us; sort of battling for that wildcard spot.

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“We spoke about some things we need to rectify. And, more importantly, we’re looking forward to response because we can sit there and talk about it as much as we want, but we’ve got to go out there and play the game we know we can play.”

Holmes sent for surgery in blow for Cats

Jon Pierik, Peter Ryan

Geelong’s bid for a top-six finish have taken another major blow, with Max Holmes undergoing ankle surgery on Friday, and in doubt for the rest of the season.

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The hard-running midfielder was hurt during Thursday night’s 27-point win over St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium.

Holmes’ leg folded back underneath him as he was met by oncoming traffic when he charged through a stoppage in the fourth quarter, and he had to be helped from the ground.

He was on crutches and wearing a moon boot post game, and went for further medical assessment.

In a statement on Friday, the Cats said: “Following further medical assessment, Max Holmes will undergo surgery today to repair a right ankle fracture and syndesmosis injury. The club will provide a return-to-play timeframe following initial progress post-surgery.”

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Holmes now faces a significant challenge to return this season. His absence is a major setback, for the club’s 2024 and 2025 best-and-fairest had been on track to again win the top award. He had also been a formidable double act with Bailey Smith in the Cats’ midfield.

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters is out for between four and six weeks after he suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury last weekend.

Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh (hamstring tightness) also finished the match on the bench and will be assessed.

These latest injuries come after star forward Jeremy Cameron required surgery for an AC injury, hurt in the loss to Greater Western Sydney. He will miss between four and six weeks.

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The win over the Saints lifted the Cats’ record to 10-8 and ended a three-game losing streak, but they now face a challenging fortnight against Melbourne and Collingwood.

The Saints have slipped to an 8-10 record, coach Ross Lyon ruing a slow start and the missed moments with his team’s inexperience in the midfield obvious at times as they overused handball early and didn’t handle the anticipated opposition pressure.

“They took full toll, and we didn’t, and it was just some big moments that we didn’t quite take advantage of, and they capitalised,” Lyon said.

“There were some good signs but some real frustrations. It all depends which way you want to look at it.”

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More:

AFL 2026

Gold Coast Suns

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

St Kilda Saints

AFL injury ward

Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.

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