Moneyball: Follow all the latest trade, contract and draft news across the AFL
No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan made his debut in Round 17, but his selection drew surprising comments from a premiership-winning coach. Luke Beveridge has responded.
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Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has given premiership winner Paul Roos a clip for criticising the club’s handling of rising star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
A day after Ugle-Hagan signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the Bulldogs until the end of 2024, Beveridge called out Roos for questioning the merits of picking him for his AFL debut in Round 17.
Ugle-Hagan was made to wait for his debut after several “interruptions”, including a bad concussion and limited pre-season, and Roos questioned whether he was ready to play AFL football.
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“He played against North Melbourne (in the VFL) and a couple of players I spoke to and the coaches said he was terrible,” Roos said in an interview with a football fans website Back to the Bench.
“It’s a really, really, really surprising decision to make, to throw him in out of form.”
Beveridge, who had to deal with questions about Ugle-Hagan weekly before his debut, said the club didn’t hold him back and called premiership-winning coach Roos’ comments “disappointing”.
“We didn’t hold him back per se. I’ve been on record saying that he’s missed some training, he missed a lot of footy last year,” Beveridge said on Friday.
“He had the concussion, he was really playing well against Essendon (in the VFL) and had to come off with injury. He had some interruptions and because he didn’t have the match fitness, we just couldn’t pick him.
“I know Marra said we knew what was best for him to hold him back, but we never set out to hold our players back. We want to give them opportunities and it got to the point where we thought it was time to play him.
“Even then when we played him there was some disappointing comments made by a former senior coach (Roos) who is contracted at another club (North Melbourne) in a consultancy role as to what some of the players and coaches had said to him about Marra’s performance in a scratch match and he shouldn’t have been playing AFL footy.
“I think we know what’s best for our players.”
Beveridge said Ugle-Hagan, who has now played four games and kicked six goals, was just “scratching the surface” of what he could do.
Man of his word: No. 1 pick extends stay at Dogs
Re-signed Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan says a text message from coach Luke Beveridge settled his nerves before the game which kickstarted his AFL career.
It can be revealed Ugle-Hagan has added another two years to his contract because of a love for Whitten Oval that has grown since he joined the club’s academy as a 15-year-old.
Beveridge hinted that Ugle-Hagan would be dropped after he made a quiet AFL debut against Sydney last month, but then decided to back in the best teenager in the country.
“Bevo messaged me. He said, ‘Just to make you relax a little bit, I’m putting you in again’,” Ugle-Hagan told News Corp.
“I did overthink about going out of the team or getting in the team. But he looked after me.”
Ugle-Hagan slotted three goals in his second AFL game to calm the selection pressure and is now targeting a finals series where he could become the youngest premiership player this century.
Suddenly, last year’s No. 1 draft pick is suddenly four games, six goals and a new contract into a career that had spent several months in the headlines through no fault of Ugle-Hagan.
Channel 7 said Ugle-Hagan had to “get off social media” while it was also reported that other clubs thought Ugle-Hagan would explore a trade this year because he wasn’t getting a game.
But Ugle-Hagan told teammates “that’s all bulls**t because I’m not going anywhere” ahead of his debut and he has proven to be a man of his word.
The media storm surrounding his long wait to play was also just “words on paper” to the polished left-footer.
“There were stages where I’d be like, ‘Oh this isn’t the best thing for me’,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“But I’ve always been good with social media and obviously all the headlines.
“I don’t pay attention to that. I don’t read the comments or read the messages I get because I just feel like it’s not going to help me as a person.”
Ugle-Hagan was already contracted for 2022, but didn’t hesitate extending early.
“I love every minute of it at the Doggies,” he said.
“At the end of the day I know where I want to stay and be. It’s such a great club and we’re in such a great position, it’s been unreal.
“I feel a lot more comfortable here than I am anywhere else.
“I’ve obviously been there since I was 15 and they’ve developed me as a player, so it doesn’t feel like my first year.
“The boys are like, ‘Oh you’re just a rookie’ as a joke, and I feel like, ‘I’ve probably been here longer than you’.”
The indigenous playmaker said development coaches Jamie Maddocks and Travis Varcoe looked after him during what was at times a lonely winter.
“Obviously times get tough when you’re isolating in Melbourne and your training while the other boys are in a hub somewhere,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“But I’m glad I had them because I was able to get a lot of things off my chest, and obviously the week after (the hub) I ended up getting to debut.”
The Dogs have locked away their most prized assets for several years. Ugle-Hagan and fellow key forward Aaron Naughton are both contracted until 2024, while captain Marcus Bontempelli is off limits until 2025.
Blues set to make call on Betts’ future
Carlton called veteran forward Eddie Betts in for a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss his future at the club next year.
The club and the 347-game star have discussed the possibility of 34-year-old Betts playing on again for one more season in 2022.
But if time is called on Betts’ career, the Blues have floated the possibility of an off-field coaching or mentor role.
Betts formed a close relationship with David Teague at Adelaide before they were reunited at Princes Park in 2020.
Carlton’s football department is currently being reviewed by an independent panel, which is looking at all areas of the club including the coaching staff.
Major coup for Tigers as livewire knocks back rivals
Richmond livewire Shai Bolton has declared his love for the “brotherhood” at the Tigers after recommitting to the club for another two years.
In a major coup for the Tigers, the exciting midfielder has re-signed with the club until the end of season 2023.
Bolton said he was excited to remain at Punt Road, pointing to the club’s culture as a key factor in his decision to recommit to the club.
“I am happy to be at Tigerland. I have been so excited to be staying (because) I love all the boys here,” Bolton said.
“We have got a very good Indigenous culture at Richmond as well, and I think it is getting even better. I just love the place.
“The playing group in general, we all have a brotherhood.
“We take football seriously but it is kind of a different thing at Richmond, where we have a tight group and have fun with each other.
“We make football fun and that is why I like it at Richmond.”
The 22-year-old dual premiership player has averaged more than 20 disposals and a goal a game in 2021 as he has stamped himself as one of the league’s emerging superstars.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Bolton was a “match-winner” who was only going to get better.
“He is a prodigious talent as we know and it’s great he has committed to the club for the following two years,” Hardwick said.
“He is a really exciting player and he is still really young, as well, so we are really excited about what he is now but more importantly we are more excited about what he could become.
“He is really starting to come into his own. He is a match-winner by his own right but more importantly he makes us better by having him on the field.
“So he is only going to get better as well which is a great position for us and him to be in.”
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Mitchell’s green light to turbo charge Hawk rebuild
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has backed new coach Sam Mitchell’s plan to aggressively attack the next two or three national drafts, saying it could help build the foundations of the club’s premiership.
While the Hawks have been heavy players in the trade/free agency market for a number of years with limited access to high-end draft picks, Mitchell has signalled a change in direction when he takes over from Alastair Clarkson after Round 23.
Kennett said the board fully supported Mitchell’s strategy of building from the ground up, saying he hoped he would have the same success as Clarkson in his early years at the draft.
In his first national draft, in 2004, Clarkson landed Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis, but he also got access to Grant Birchall in his second and Cyril Rioli in his fourth draft.
“We knew we had to find someone who could coach the team for the next 10 years and bring together a group of players who can grow up in the club, as was the case when Clarko came in (late) 2004,” Kennett told this column.
“We had those wonderful two or three drafts after Clarko came in and those players stayed with the club through 2008, and also in the three-peat (2013-15).
“We are building again. You have to lay the base and we are doing that now.
“What we are saying to our members is we won’t be premiers in 2023, but we’ll really be back in the hunt.”
Last year the Hawks had their highest single draft selection in 15 years — pick 6 with Denver Grainger-Barras — and Mitchell signalled recently he plans to invest heavily in coming drafts.
Hawthorn will have three selections in the top 25 this year, which will help them secure some quality players heading into Mitchell’s first season as coach.
The Hawks could yet trade one or more of their senior players to further strengthen their draft haul.
Zerk-Thatcher’s battle to save his career
Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher remains unsigned for next season as he works to cement his position in the Bombers’ back line.
Zerk-Thatcher, who is from South Australia, is coming to the end of his two-year deal and is yet to agree to terms on an extension.
The 195cm intercepting defender is keen to secure more senior opportunities after managing only six games under Ben Rutten this year, down from 10 matches in 2020.
Even without Michael Hurley in the team and Cale Hooker playing as a permanent forward Zerk-Thatcher, 23, has not been an automatic selection despite being widely considered one of the best young defenders in the state league system.
Zerk-Thatcher has been on rivals’ radars since he signed his latest deal at Essendon in 2019 and Sydney were among the clubs who liked the Bomber.
But Tom McCartin has since stepped up sensationally in a defensive role at the Swans after missing out on former Pie Tom Langdon and losing Aliir Aliir.
Zerk-Thatcher is the next priority signing for Essendon after working hard to lock away gun midfielders Darcy Parish, Zach Merrett and Jake Stringer this year in the face of strong interest elsewhere.
Clubs ramp up interest in loyal Cat Kreuger
Rivals are again circling Geelong debutante Nathan Kreuger after he made the loyal decision to knock back a three-year deal from Collingwood last year despite Jeremy Cameron’s arrival.
Kruger debuted as a long-kicking backman last week against North Melbourne, having been repurposed as a defender after the star GWS forward arrived at Geelong.
The 196cm key-position tall was a late inclusion when Mark O’Connor pulled out with knee soreness, having bided his time after being recruited from Victor Harbour via the SANFL.
The Pies believed he could help shore up their key forward stocks last season and offered that long-term deal but he decided to chance his arm again at Geelong.
He has another decision to make, with Collingwood likely among his suitors once more, given he and Sam De Koning would believe they might be able to succeed Lachie Henderson when he retires.
Charlie Constable would leave if he could find a suitor next year, while Quinton Narkle and Jordan Clark are considering whether to stay loyal or take their chances elsewhere.
Bulldogs fielding offers for Young love
Western Bulldogs defender Lewis Young is attracting interest from clubs keen to boost their key defensive stocks after playing only five games this year.
The Bulldogs’ third pick in the 2016 national draft has played only 20 games in five years and will likely have to move on to get more opportunities, with Josh Schache slotting in as a key defender in recent weeks.
The Dogs’ extraordinary depth means players such as Patrick Lipinski and Ed Richards have already been touted as trade targets.
Luke Beveridge’s side will recruit father-son Sam Darcy in November, and the versatile youngster could start his career as a key back after spending time at both ends of the ground in underage football as well as stints in the ruck.
Dockers make a strong play to keep Cerra
Fremantle has offered Adam Cerra multiple deals of varying lengths to help convince him to remain at the Dockers.
Cerra was offered a new four-year deal that he hasn’t signed but has now also been offered a two-year deal in case he doesn’t want to lock himself away long-term.
As he considers his future, with most close to him believing he will return to Melbourne, he is loving playing under Justin Longmuir and in the club’s new-look midfield, which is making his decision hard.
Where will Rory Lobb next?
Clubs are aware Fremantle tall Rory Lobb is gettable in this year’s trade period but any move remains a long shot.
The ruck-forward has a price tag in the vicinity of $700,000 a season making any trade difficult when money is tight at clubs across the league and the main focus is retention.
The Suns have made clear they want a key forward to bolster their attacking options alongside Ben King.
The Herald Sun has reported the Suns have made contact with Lobb’s manager but are cooling on the prospect.
It is understood any trade would have to include a pay cut for Lobb, but the Dockers are adamant they have no plans to trade the goalkicker who remains contracted in the west.
Stack’s on for a new Tiger deal
Richmond’s decision to make Sydney Stack work hard for his AFL recall will surely now set him up for a new deal at the Tigers.
Stack played eight games in the VFL as he returned to fitness after an extraordinary fortnight stint in jail for a Covid breach in Perth.
He is out of contract and the Tigers will talk about a deal in the post-season, but his fourth AFL game back in the team was simply superb against Fremantle.
In a 149-SuperCoach point game against the Dockers, 24 of Stack’s 25 touches were effective as he hauled in seven intercept marks and 12 intercept possessions.
Stack has been able to access not only the support from the Tigers as he lives with a new host family but also the help off the field in relation to his mental health after a turbulent few seasons.
New Day dawns for Sun on the rise
Gold Coast’s Sam Day will sign a new contract in coming weeks, taking one of the forward-rucks clubs would be keen to scout in the off-season off the board.
Day has battled serious injuries through his career including a knee injury this year but is capable of playing key forward then pinch-hitting in the ruck.
Clubs across the competition including Hawthorn, Brisbane and North Melbourne are keen to secure players who are versatile enough to back up a first ruckman but spend most of their time forward.
The No. 3 draft pick in the 2010 national draft is determined to finish his career as a one-club Sun after playing 143 games over 11 seasons.
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