Jamarra Ugle-Hagan checks into interstate health retreat in bid to save football career

Two weeks into his period of indefinite leave from the Bulldogs, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has ventured north to an interstate health retreat in a bid to save his football career.

Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has checked into an interstate health retreat in a bid to save his football career.

Ugle-Hagan, 23, has ventured north almost two weeks into his period of indefinite leave from the club with all parties remaining hopeful of a path back to football.

The trip is considered by those close to the Bulldogs forward – who is contracted at the club until the end of next season – as an important and positive step to give Ugle-Hagan the time and space to focus on his wellbeing.

The Dogs and league officials are adamant Ugle-Hagan needs to prioritise his health before he can return to the club.

Ugle-Hagan is currently checked into a health retreat. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But there is significant optimism he could turn the corner with these latest steps as the goal kicker is keen to reignite his stalled career for next season.

In particular, his current Bulldogs teammates are pleased Ugle-Hagan has committed to the interstate initiative away from the club and his regular football commitments and social life in Melbourne.

AFL greats including Hawthorn and Sydney Swans’ champion Lance Franklin have said the Dogs’ 2024 leading goalkicker has the ability to return to his best, and potentially at a new club such as Swans.

But after a difficult and tumultuous start to the season senior football figures are happy Ugle-Hagan has committed to concentrating on his personal issues.

The former No. 1 pick has been training away from the club for the majority of this season after entering a flexible training agreement that has seen him undertaking boxing and fitness work in Melbourne.

Ugle-Hagan’s future at the Dogs remains in doubt. Picture: Michael Klein

Several attempts by the club to reintegrate the 23-year-old to commit to a consistent training program – including training with the club’s VFL team – have proven unsuccessful over recent months.

A missed key training session at Whitten Oval on the weekend of Round 5 with the team in Adelaide for Gather Round was considered at the time to be a blow to his on-field prospects in 2025.

Coach Luke Beveridge said last week he had not had contact with Ugle-Hagan since he had begun his latest period of leave, which began on April 29, but has maintained his hope that “Jamarra goes really well in this period of finding himself both in life and then in the game”.

It is unclear when Ugle-Hagan – who hails from Framlingham, outside Warrnambool – is expected to return to Melbourne.

The move has fuelled hopes the forward can overcome his complex personal challenges and re-ignite his career either at the Bulldogs or another club.

The Dogs could trade the key forward at season’s end but only if a suitable deal could be reached.

Sydney is considered the favoured landing spot should he depart Whitten Oval.

Ugle-Hagan has been criticised for his prolific social media use this year but it has been scaled back over the past fortnight.

He shared an image of the Western Bulldogs’ indigenous guernsey to Instagram on Sunday which includes a significant portion of its design dedicated to his family story and totem.