AFL rival ‘in box seat’ to poach Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as ‘unacceptable’ act slammed

A rival AFL club is “in the box seat” to land a troubled Bulldogs star, who has come under fire for an “unacceptable” act.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s absence from the Western Bulldogs’ 100-year anniversary game has been labelled “unacceptable” amid predictions the Sydney Swans are “in the box seat” to poach the forward.

Ugle-Hagan remains out of the Bulldogs team as he continues to work through his much-publicised off-field issues.

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His reintegration into the Dogs’ footy program continues to be delicately managed amid personal issues, but one AFL great believes he’s a “100-1” chance to be at the club next year despite his contract running through to the end of 2026.

“I’m not convinced he (Ugle-Hagan) is staying at the Western Bulldogs, and Sydney, for mine, is the club that’s in the box seat. He spends a lot of time up there,” Herald Sun chief football reporter Jay Clark told Fox Footy’s First Crack.

Asked if Ugle-Hagan was a “perfect fit” for the Swans, dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna said: “As a player, he is.

Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been sidelined to start the season. Picture: Michael Klein

“He’s obviously got some issues off the field. Is that going to fit in with what the Sydney Swans want …?”

The Swans, who claimed their first win of the season over Fremantle on Sunday, haven’t looked particularly potent in attack so far this year.

Two-time premiership winner David King said: “I think the Swans have a great way of shaping these guys again in their outside-of-football world.

“(Hayden) McLean — seven targets today, no marks. (Joel) Amartey — six for two. (Will) Hayward, he gets too many looks for the target that he is.

“They need a player like Jamarra. Before this list really goes bang, they need to try and secure someone, and I reckon he’s 100-1 to be at the Dogs next year. I’ve said that before.”

Last week Geelong was linked as a potential suitor to Ugle-Hagan.

‘Unacceptable’ act irks Hird

Western Bulldogs, previously known as Footscray, celebrated the club’s centenary with a special presentation before Friday night’s thrilling loss to Collingwood at the MCG in which the standard of umpiring was questioned.

Bulldogs greats including Bob Murphy, Tom Boyd and Daniel Giansiracusa were out on the field pre-game as the different flags over the past century were unfurled.

It raised eyebrows that Ugle-Hagan wasn’t at his side’s game against Collingwood on a major occasion for the club, after he attended a NBL finals game on Wednesday and the Melbourne Storm’s NRL game against Penrith on Thursday.

Footscray celebrated the club’s 100-year anniversary. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Bulldogs greats Daniel Giansiracusa, Lindsay Gilbee, Daniel Cross, Tom Boyd and Easton Wood at the anniversary game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nine’s Tom Morris reported the 22-year-old was having a night out at Melbourne’s Brighton Beach Hotel on the same night as the game, “posting on social media playing pool at a bar”.

Essendon great Hird wasn’t impressed Ugle-Hagan didn’t turn up to the game.

“I don’t understand,” Hird said in comments on Nine’s Footy Furnace, which you can watch below.

“He went to the NBL on Wednesday, NRL on Thursday in Melbourne - but didn’t go to the Bulldogs game on Friday? That’s very strange.

“Well, it’s unacceptable. I didn’t know he did that, but you’d think the most important thing is to go watch your teammates, whether it’s the 100th (anniversary) game or not.

“I can’t imagine a player not going to watch his teammates unless he’s ill.”

Morris described it as a “delicate and difficult” situation that is likely to overshadow the Dogs’ season.

Coach Luke Beveridge has acknowledged he doesn’t know if Ugle-Hagan, a former No. 1 pick, will play a game this year.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been dealing with some off field issues. Picture: Michael Klein

The Dogs lost a thriller to Collingwood. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

In Ugle-Hagan,’s absence, 208cm forward Sam Darcy kicked four goals in a breakout game to keep the Bulldogs in the contest and announce himself as a state of the competition.

“There’s no doubt that you see his highest point (overhead marking capabilities) stuff and you think, ‘How are they going to stop that?’,” Beveridge said.

The Dogs were gallant given they were missing Marcus Bontempelli (calf), Adam Treloar (calf), Ugle-Hagan, Cody Weightman (knee), Liam Jones (hamstring), Jason Johannisen (hamstring), James O’Donnell (jaw) and Luke Cleary (concussion).

“You’ve got to make sure that the boys playing feel like they’re valued and they’re not just warming a seat for someone else to come and take it,” Beveridge said post-game.

“And I know that everyone’s processing the fact that we’ve got some experienced, influential players out but that’s not really the way we’re talking internally.

“Don’t make excuses.”

With NewsWire, foxsports.com.au

Originally published as AFL rival ‘in box seat’ to poach Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as ‘unacceptable’ act slammed