Jamarra Ugle-Hagan takes positive steps towards football return

In the most positive development for months, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will sit down with the Western Bulldogs as a potential return looms.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has regained his “appetite” to play football with a return in the VFL potentially just weeks away.

In the most positive development for months around the Western Bulldogs star there is renewed hope he could get his career back on track.

While the Dogs stress he still has a long way to go, they’re set to sit down again with him this week to plot a pathway moving forward.

Ugle-Hagan has returned from a stint at a health retreat in Byron Bay, which was followed by some down time in Sydney, in a “good spot”.

A VFL return for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan could be just weeks away. Picture: Michael Klein

“He is refreshed, happy and has an appetite to play again,” one close associate said.

As evidenced by his regular social media posts, Ugle-Hagan has remained in excellent physical condition during his time away with gruelling gym workouts and boxing sessions.

Last week he posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge described the video as a “great sign”.

“We’ve got to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future,” Beveridge said.

“I’m taking that as a positive … with the new challenges and the commitment to going away and focusing on his own wellbeing and his life journey.

“Hopefully he’s got some things in a bit more of an order, and that can propel him into his footy yet at some point. When that is, who knows, it might still be a fair way away.”

Ugle-Hagan would most likely train only with the VFL team in the early stages of his return rather than with the AFL program as it’s thought his presence could cause a distraction for his teammates.

While there are some who are adamant the former No.1 draft pick would need a significant block of training to get his football fitness up to speed, there is also a sense of “just let the kid play” from his supporters.

Ugle-Hagan’s last game for the Dogs was the 2024 elimination final loss. Picture: Getty Images

There is a thought he needs to get a taste for competitive football as soon as possible, potentially starting off on a very restricted game time model which would slowly increase each week.

The AFL will need to tick off any return as the 23-year-old has been under the league’s mental health plan since he took a leave of absence from the Whitten Oval.

It’s understood the AFL has made it clear that Ugle-Hagan wouldn’t be allowed to sit out the entire 2025 season, force a trade out of the Bulldogs and then simply turn up at a new club next year and play again straight away.

He will need to show significant improvement with his health for the league to give him the green light to continue his 67-game career.

Getting Ugle-Hagan back playing is also a benefit for the Bulldogs in terms of his potential trade value. At the moment their position has been weakened considerably with his non-appearance and well-publicised issues but if he returns, even just in the VFL, it would strengthen their case.

Sydney is considered the most likely suitor should Ugle-Hagan request a trade with former Swans champion Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin saying the Harbour City would be the perfect place – just like it was for him – to escape the intense scrutiny in Melbourne.

While Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted for next season, has a lot of ground to make up to win back the respect of his coach, captain Marcus Bontempelli and his teammates, there are optimists in the Dogs ranks who wonder if he can put together a full month of VFL football, what that might mean in the lead-up to the AFL finals.

Maybe they’re dreaming but at least Beveridge is talking tough about a player he knows could be an X-factor for him.

“He’s our player,” Beveridge said. “We’ll do our best to continue to look at what’s right for him and look after him. I’ve got no thoughts that he won’t be here next year.”

Originally published as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan takes positive steps towards football return