Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will meet key Western Bulldogs officials as early as next week to chart return

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has made clear to the Bulldogs he is keen to return to the club and has ambitions to quickly play VFL football – but how soon will that be? Here’s the latest.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will meet key Western Bulldogs officials as early as next week to chart a training program that will require a six-week block before he is ready for a VFL return.

Ugle-Hagan has made clear to Dogs football boss Sam Power and coach Luke Beveridge he is keen to return to the club and has ambitions to quickly play VFL football.

The club is beyond thrilled that Ugle-Hagan is in a state to want to recommit to the club.

They are determined to build him up slowly, while also using the lure of competitive football to help him fulfil a regular training schedule.

Ugle Hagan has been in a northern states health retreat but is back in Melbourne and regularly posting about his fitness progress.

The Dogs are unsure if he has even kicked a football since he left the club, having sporadically completed 10-12 training sessions since November last year.

So he would need 4-6 weeks of training first to ensure he does not break down, while also having to secure AFL approval to return to competitive football.

But the Dogs are determined to make his return a positive experience rather than a punishment for sessions missed.

They would welcome him back into the full football program, rather than relegate him to the VFL training schedule, keen for him to be around his teammates and enjoy his time at Whitten Oval.

Those around Ugle-Hagan are aware that the 23-year-old committing fully for the next six weeks might have its challenges.

It means the club will take baby steps with Ugle-Hagan, who, the Herald Sun this week revealed, had an “appetite” for a return to VFL football.

Ugle-Hagan might still be traded to a new club next year if he wants a fresh start, but, if he can return to the VFL, it would increase the Dogs’ bargaining position.

The club is now about to enter talks with Marcus Bontempelli on a new free agency deal, but already has plenty of salary cap room.

It will allow them to chase Zak Butters, Matt Rowell and Miles Bergman to continue their midfield regeneration.

Budding AFL superstar Sam Darcy signed a four-year deal in December which will pay him handsomely, but nowhere near what he could secure this year on the open market.

Darcy’s deal will have lucrative incentive-based triggers and see him well paid, but he has never been defined by money or in a rush to sign up a bevy of endorsement deals.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is set to return to Bulldogs training. Picture: Michael Klein

Marcus Bontempelli and Aaron Naughton lead the Bulldogs off the ground after Thursday night’s win. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Bontempelli has always been well paid but never held out for ridiculous money, so having the club’s best two players on excellent but not irresponsible deals is a massive list management bonus.

The Herald Sun also reported the AFL, under new mental health and football boss Laura Kane, is not keen for Ugle-Hagan to simply shut down his season and await a potential trade.

Ugle-Hagan has told friends that he is keen to meet AFL legend Lance Franklin and seek his counsel as a mentor on his AFL journey.

But, despite being set up with his number, he had not yet taken up that chance before he left the Dogs.

There are many people in his corner, including his management firm, the AFL and Indigenous legend Eddie Betts, who are desperate for a positive outcome.

The AFL is keen to see continual progress from Ugle-Hagan, having worked hard with him to first set up an indefinite break from the Dogs then commence that time in the health retreat.