Western Bulldogs AFL star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan checks himself into health retreat as future hangs in balance
In a last-ditch effort to save his AFL career, troubled Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has reportedly checked himself into a health retreat.
The 23-year-old has not played a game for the Western Bulldogs this season, with the club being continually dogged by questions about his future with the team all season.
The No.1 pick of the 2020 draft, who had become one of the Bulldogs’ best players, has fallen out with teammates and the club due to his off-field behaviour.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He took indefinite leave from the club two weeks ago and is now attending a health retreat not in Victoria, The Herald Sun reports.
Ugle-Hagan is contracted at Whitten Oval until the end of 2026, and the club is believed to be hoping he can get himself to a place where he could rejoin the team.
He has been training by himself and has not taken part in formal training with the Bulldogs at an AFL or VFL level.
If Ugle-Hagan does leave the Dogs, Sydney has been suggested by Swans and Hawks legend Buddy Franklin as a good fit for the star forward, who was the Bulldogs’ leading goalscorer in 2024.
Earlier this month, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge bristled at the continual questioning about Ugle-Hagan, saying the club wanted to move on from talking about him.
Beveridge refused to buy into speculation that Ugle-Hagan might not feature again at AFL level.
“Nothing’s really changed there for me,” Beveridge said when asked about Ugle-Hagan being granted leave,” he said.
“It’s pleasing that hopefully there’s some initiative there that’s different, and we hope it leads to a really good outcome.
“Now that there’s been a club statement and it expresses what’s actually happening, we’ll move away from it for a while and hope Jamarra goes really well in this period of finding himself both in life and then in the game.”
Pressed on whether he is concerned Ugle-Hagan won’t play another AFL game, Beveridge said: “I’ve answered these questions before.
“I just said that there’s a club statement and to respect now Jamarra’s privacy and what he’s going to go through.
“And as I said, keeping the focus on this week and what’s up ahead. Let’s move beyond it.”
With AAP
