Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s emotional return to training just the start of long road back to Bulldogs side

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was greeted with open arms and plenty of hugs at training on Wednesday, but there’s still a long road before he’s fit to play. Watch the vision and see the pictures.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s

Ugle-Hagan’s emotional return to senior training on Wednesday is only the start of a lengthy reintegration with the star forced to prove his fitness and commitment before an AFL return.

Ugle-Hagan finally returned to training at Whitten Oval in a significant sign of his improved health, with the out-of-contract key forward barely stringing together consecutive sessions across the entire summer.

Critically, a playing group which has put together an entire summer of work will want coach Luke Beveridge to retain his selection integrity in the early rounds of the season.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan takes a mark on the lead. Picture: Michael Klein

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and assistant coach Brendan Lade at training on Wednesday. Picture: Michael Klein

The players warmly embraced Ugle-Hagan on Wednesday as they battle for spots in Beveridge’s side with the Dogs reluctant to throw the forward into games without any real pre-season.

It means Ugle-Hagan is likely four to six weeks from being considered for AFL action even in a best-case scenario where he can maintain his training consistency and avoid injuries.

But given Ugle-Hagan is at ground zero in his pre-season it could easily be months before he is back playing AFL football.

The 22-year-old looked in good shape and moved well in the session but has done little actual football training apart from a pair of VFL sessions in recent weeks.

After such a turbulent summer Ugle-Hagan has turned a corner after the weekend away with the All Stars players, with officials noting a boost in his energy and his comfort at being around the Dogs playing group.

But future set-backs that pushed his return date back would surprise no one.

He has also had to deal with medical issues which have required treatment during training, another reason why it has been hard for him to commit to sessions over summer.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan back at training with teammates. Picture: Michael Klein

He touched on those issues as he left for the All Stars game that he had been working hard with a psychologist on some of those issues.

“I’ve just stayed home, trained on my own and just trying to keep busy with my training and get on top of that,” Ugle-Hagan told channel 7.

“Psychologist stuff, which is, I don’t know, it’s a bit difficult, but right now I’m just enjoying my footy and training hard.”

His return was a boost for a club that has had a torrid injury run in recent weeks with Liam Jones, Adam Treloar and Cody Weightman among the stars out for the medium-term future.

Coach Beveridge is still brimming with optimism about the club’s depth and capacity to cover some of those injuries.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan with assistant coach Ben Reid. Picture: Michael Klein

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan hugs assistant coach Jarryn Geary. Picture: Michael Klein

Beveridge is in the last year of his current deal and is in regular discussions with the club about his future and how to measure success.

But at this stage it seems his contract will drift into the season as the Dogs take on North Melbourne, Collingwood, Carlton and Fremantle (away) in the first four weeks of the season.

The club is on Thursday likely to officially elevate VFL star Brayden Crossley to the senior list but given his lack of an AFL pre-season he is very much a medium-term prospect.

He would likely start his season in the VFL as he tries to build fitness but he would be strong cover for Tim English, with Sam Darcy to start forward and Rory Lobb needed down back given Liam Jones’ hamstring concern.