RICHO’S TOP 10: Why Jamarra Ugle-Hagan should leave Western Bulldogs to join the Sydney Swans in 2026

1. What is the next move for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan?

I’m still not sure he will play for the Dogs again. Vision shared by Ugle-Hagan last week showed him training hard and looking pretty fit and happy. It was great to see. Sydney looks like the best fit for me. The Swans have had a great history with attracting key forwards from other clubs. The big three being Buddy Franklin, Barry Hall and of course Tony Lockett. All three had huge success in the Harbour City. It seemed to suit their personalities and lifestyle by getting away from the fishbowl of Melbourne. The big difference was these guys were all much more established as big game players. Jamarra isn’t a bona fide big game key forward yet with 67 games and 103 goals. But if I were the Swans, I’d take the risk.

We have seen enough glimpses to suggest he could be. Interesting off season ahead on this one. I know the Dogs want him to play footy again this year as Luke Beveridge indicated on Wednesday that he was in conversation with his absent star and Jamarra would want to prove his worth. If it works for both then it’s a great reconciliation, but I still feel like it might be best for both parties to move on with a fresh start. Could be a win-win. Heading into tonight’s game against the Saints the return of Sam Darcy is a massive boost. They really need a good win to prove they are a finals team after dropping away a bit over the last few weeks against the Cats and Hawks. With a bye in between it feels like they have lost a lot of their hard earned momentum.<

2. Another unbelievable day at the ‘G on the King’s Birthday for Big Freeze 11.

As always, the sliders all got into the vibe of the day and had good fun. The ‘G was a sea of blue beanies. The highlight of the day was Neale Daniher doing a lap of the ground with his family. It was pretty emotional stuff as he went through the guard of honour formed by the two teams. What a legacy he is creating. The game was a cracker as well, with the Pies hanging on in a thriller. The incident at the end with Max Gawn and Steven May is nothing more than two fierce competitors disappointed with the result. Nothing to dig too deep into — I’m sure they’ve sorted any issues by now. In a perfect world, May could have left it until they got into the rooms for a debrief. The positive for the Dees is that their brand of footy stood up against the best.

3. Jack Ginnivan is becoming way more than a pantomime villain.

Since taking his medicine after being dropped earlier this year, he is really emerging as a serious AFL footballer. His last seven weeks have been high quality. To average just over 20 touches and nearly two goals in that time is elite. His high half-forward role is critical. He’s fit, uses the ball well, and has great footy IQ. I’m loving his game. As for the goal taunt — as I’ve said many times, footy needs characters. I don’t have an issue with it. Although, as I know from my time, when you do these things it does put pressure on you to keep performing well. All eyeballs are waiting for you to slip up. I don’t think Jack minds that pressure — in fact, I think he enjoys it. Keep being a bit of a villain, Jack. Footy needs entertainers like you.

4. Brisbane’s loss is most certainly the AFL’s gain.

Greg Swann has done it all in footy administration. He is an honest, straight-up, no-nonsense character, talks sense, and doesn’t speak in riddles. With the AFL being criticised at times recently for not being transparent enough and lacking communication and connection with the fan base, I think Greg is the perfect man for the job. A great appointment.

5. Want to see what leadership is?

Have a listen and watch the way Brendan Gale has handled himself and the difficulties surrounding the Devils and the proposed new stadium in Hobart. Composed, level-headed and considered — he is the perfect man to get the job done for this new football team. Having let the dust settle a bit over the last week, I’m very confident this will all end well for the Tasmanian football club. When it does, it’s full steam ahead, and Brendan is the perfect leader to be in charge.

6. I’ve written before in this column about the Saints and their pursuit of Tom De Koning.

He is a great player, and I get why they may pay $1.7 million a year to get him. But I think they have a more important job to focus on — and that’s re-signing Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. I hope with the offer to Tom, there is enough in the kitty to keep Wanganeen-Milera for as long as he likes. There are not many more game-breaking players than Nasiah, and the position he plays is becoming one of the most important in footy. His foot skills are exquisite. His expected pay packet would be going up by the game.

7. Devastating news last week that GWS Giants veteran Callan Ward’s career is over after a season-ending injury.

What a rock-solid team player he has been at the Western Bulldogs and Giants. There have been plenty of great people to play this game, but not many more universally respected than Cal. Flint-hard on the field and loved off it. I hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of Cal, but if it is, he will be in high demand at clubland. The game can’t afford to lose people like him.

8. I’ve heard some bad takes in my time in footy.

The narrative that Tom Stewart should have been suspended for a bump where he didn’t make any contact with Noah Anderson’s head at all is just about the worst. The argument I’ve heard from some is that because Anderson went to ground and hit his head on the turf, Stewart should be rubbed out. Even if Anderson had been concussed, there is no way Stewart should be suspended for that — and he wasn’t even cited by the MRO. As I’ve said before, occasionally players will be concussed in a contact sport.

9. The Hall of Fame night is the best night on the footy calendar.

There are always some great stories to be told about our Aussie Rules icons. Tuesday night was no exception. I’ve got to admit I was shocked that Garry Lyon was not already in the HOF. A very worthy entrant for 2025. What a career Garry had — not to mention his 30-year post-footy career as one of the best analysts in the media. A five-time All-Australian, he could play either end of the ground. I was at the MCG as a spectator the day he kicked 10 in a semifinal against the Dogs in 1994. What a performance it was. Congratulations to Garry and all the other inductees for 2025, including my Channel 7 colleagues Luke Hodge, Nick Riewoldt, Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips. What a night it was for the female football trailblazers.

10. Mark Keane is not a household name for a lot of casual footy observers, but he could be the most improved player in the competition.

What a season the Irishman is putting together. The Crows defender is currently second for intercepts in the AFL. He is leading a great defensive unit that is winning the ball back regularly in the air for the Crows. They are then scoring off the back of this. They’ll need to do this again against the Hawks tomorrow night in Launceston. The Hawks’ mobile forward line likes to run up and back at opposition defences, so the Crows will be trying to stop this run with their pressure and force the Hawks to kick it high and long inside 50 — where Keane and company can get to work. I can’t wait for this game. The Crows either consolidate their top-four spot or the Hawks tighten up that logjam for the double chance.