Jamarra Ugle-Hagan back at Western Bulldogs training after apologising to teammates for behaviour

Troubled star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan did something significant on Monday to win back the trust of his coach and teammates at the Western Bulldogs.

Troubled Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is a big step closer to a football return after telling his teammates he was sorry for behaviour that put his AFL career in jeopardy as he returned to the club on Monday.

Seven weeks after the Bulldogs announced the 23-year-old, who hasn’t played a game in 2025, was taking a “leave of absence” to deal with “personal issues”, he was back with his teammates and even took part in a recovery session.

It came after he addressed the playing group and expressed remorse for some of his actions that drew widespread criticism about his willingness to apply himself to the demands of being an AFL footballer.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at Western Bulldogs training. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

But having spent time at a health retreat, recent social media posts have shown Ugle-Hagan in heavy training, a strong indicating of his desire to get back to football, a desire he expressed to his teammates.

He’s been in contact with coach Luke Beveridge, who last week said the pair had spoken to plot a path back, likely through the VFL at some stage in the distant future.

Beveridge dismissed any suggestion Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted until the end of 2026, could move to another club, declaring the former No.1 pick was “our player”.

The full path back for Ugle-Hagan remains unclear but he’s expected to feature in more training sessions as he begins to reintegrate with the Bulldogs program.

“He’s come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what’s next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there,” Beveridge said last week.

Ugle-Hagan joins in training on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“Whether it’s in the distance or whether it’s a month-and-a-half away, I couldn’t tell you.

“But we’re hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that’s about all I can tell you.”

Originally published as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan back at Western Bulldogs training after apologising to teammates for behaviour