Luke Beveridge opens up on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s future at Western Bulldogs

Luke Beveridge has conceded he’s unsure if Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will play another AFL game and revealed when a tipping point might be reached that decides the young star’s future.

Western Bulldogs’ coach Luke Beveridge says Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s future at the Dogs will “probably come to a head” if he remains absent from the club.

The senior coach wants to speak with the star spearhead again following his next meeting with league and club and officials in the faint hope he can help reignite Ugle-Hagan’s AFL career.

The 2020 No.1 draft pick is at football’s crossroads amid serious concerns about his off-field lifestyle and some erratic behaviour which dates as far back as 18 months ago.

Ugle-Hagan, 23, has not attended Bulldogs’ training over the past three weeks and will almost certainly be moved on from the club at season’s end if he does not meet expectations on and off the field.

In an exclusive interview with the Saturday Herald Sun, Beveridge said “we are all concerned about him”, but was adamant there “comes a time when you have to step off the preoccupation with him and make sure you centre your observations and influence on the people who are there”.

Luke Beveridge chats to Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Picture: Michael Klein

“We hope he is connecting with the medical experts and from time-to-time our practitioners and that the penny will drop at some point, and we can turn it around,” Beveridge said.

“But if it doesn’t happen over the remainder of the season, then I don’t know. It will probably come to a head.”

The Dogs have thrown their full resources behind Ugle-Hagn to help support his complex personal issues, but frustrations are growing amid an ongoing review of his flexible training arrangement.

Rival clubs also hold serious concerns about making a play for Ugle-Hagan in the trade period over doubts about whether he can commit to top-line AFL standards at a new home.

Beveridge said he was unsure if Ugle-Hagan still wanted to play at the top level.

“I don’t know, that is the serious answer. He will tell you he does, but the actions don’t back the words up,” he said.

“It is going to take a lot of time to build trust again with everyone.

“The thing about compliance and punctuality and being in a program you have to be there.

“You can’t choose which days you don’t come.

“And that has probably been his existence over this year until recently when he has been away from the club.”

Beveridge said he hoped he could speak with the forward again soon after he next met with the AFL and club staff about his situation.

Ugle-Hagan’s future as an AFL player remains unclear.

Attempts to organise another meeting with the experts from the AFL and the Dogs have failed in recent weeks.

In the meantime, the 67-gamer, who hasn’t played since last year’s final series, has continued to post social and off-site workout videos on his social media account.

“The plan was to have that meeting (with the AFL) and then sit down and work out what that pathway was or is, and being totally re-engaged and possibly playing again,” Beveridge said.

“But because that either didn’t happen or hasn’t happened, and I have been unable to have that conversation with him.

“I’m hoping it does happen. I’m just not sure when it will be, but it is not occupying my every day (thoughts).

“I have just channelled any frustration or negativity and just channelled it into positive energy for the group at large. I have got no other choice.”

Concerns first emerged about Ugle-Hagan in late 2023 before he booted 43 goals across 22 games the following season in 2024, but no majors in the final two matches including the elimination final against Hawthorn.

After beating GWS Giants on Sunday in Round 24, the goal kicker didn’t reappear back at the club until Thursday, and was almost not selected for the clash against the Hawks.

Ugle-Hagan had four disposals amid significant concerns about his preparation for the cutthroat final.

His ties with his current teammates have since come under considerable strain despite their best efforts to publicly support the 194cm forward from Framlingham, near Warrnambool.

Originally published as Luke Beveridge opens up on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s future at Western Bulldogs