Western Bulldogs close in on re-signing Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, while Tim English’s future is less clear

West Australian free agent Tim English has attracted strong interest from West Coast and Victorian rivals – will the offers be too good to ignore? Here’s the latest.

Western Bulldogs remain confident they will pull off a one-two contracting punch by locking away Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Tim English on deals expected to total around $2 million per season.

Godfather offers for Ugle-Hagan are trickling in, but those close to the emerging superstar are supremely confident he will re-sign at Whitten Oval until 2026 or 2027.

Ugle-Hagan and fellow forward Aaron Naughton – who is locked in until 2032 – are best mates, while the 2020 No.1 draft pick is also extremely tight with Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.

Ugle-Hagan and his family remain extremely appreciative of the club’s support last year after he was racially vilified by St Kilda fans during a game at Marvel Stadium. 

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Photo by Michael Klein.

The following week, Ugle-Hagan replicated Nicky Winmar’s famous “I’m proud” moment when he lifted his guernsey and pointed to his skin after booting a goal.

Cashed-up clubs – including Richmond and Hawthorn – are tabling contracts worth up to $1.3m for Ugle-Hagan, but it is understood even they have a sense he is going nowhere.

That is a far different scenario to 2018, when the Tigers believed they were certain to land then-Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch before the season had even started.

Alice Ugle, Jamarra’s mother, burst into tears when she found out he would play his first AFL game in 2020 and Ugle-Hagan used his debut speech to tell teammates that rumours he would seek a trade back then were “bull----”.

Another important factor is Ugle-Hagan’s close relationship with the Bulldogs’ next generation academy coach David Newton, who first watched the precocious talent light-up a Kickstart game in Blacktown as a 14-year-old.

When Newton noticed the left-footer could only handball right-handed, he quickly upskilled Ugle-Hagan on both sides of his body.

Ugle-Hagan celebrates a goal. Photo by Michael Klein.

While list boss Sam Power still has to table the right contract, Bulldogs fans should breathe easy that a short-term deal should get done as early as mid-season.

The English scenario is slightly less clear, although initial discussions between Power and English’s camp have begun.

The West Australian is a free agent and has strong interest from West Coast as well as a couple of Victorian rivals. Fremantle would be an unlikely destination for English, given they have Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson on long-term deals.

English’s partner, Rudi Ellis, is playing netball for Melbourne Vixens and his older brother, Dan, is living in Melbourne working as solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills.

Like English, Ellis comes out of contract at the Vixens this season. She also still owns a property in Perth.

Clubs are wary of offering one-position players long contracts after Collingwood’s decision to re-sign Brodie Grundy for seven years backfired.

English is the reigning All-Australian ruckman, but only finished seventh in the Dogs’ best-and-fairest last year.

Tim English. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

There are suggestions the Eagles’ interest has slightly cooled in recent months, although they are still expected to make a seven-figure play for the big man.

List bosses believe English and Brisbane Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage are the clear standouts in what is a relatively underwhelming free agency pool in 2024.

Rivals would be happy to pay English overs to prise him out of the kennel because – unless the Dogs match a free-agency offer to force a trade – they would not have to sacrifice an early draft pick. That means that English could become a $1m player at a new club, but might have to settle for slightly less to remain a Bulldog.

The Dogs lost understudy Jordon Sweet to Port Adelaide last year and would have to find an instant replacement, unless 208cm youngster Sam Darcy becomes an option in the ruck.

The early indications are that Ugle-Hagan will re-sign first. While an English extension should also get done, the longer the Bulldogs allow the situation to drag out would only invite more rivals to join the list of clubs wanting to poach him.