By Sam McClure
For the first time in over a month, Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan trained fully with the club’s senior team on Wednesday.
Even if he didn’t move at his best – which he didn’t – the very notion of the smooth-moving, high-flying, left-footed goal kicker embracing his forward teammate Aaron Naughton was a sight for sore eyes for anyone who supports the red, white and blue.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, returns to training.Credit: Justin McManus
Indeed, a fit and firing Jamarra is something all football fans want to see.
But there is a long road ahead.
High-ranking Western Bulldogs officials were quick to hose down any excitement of an early season return for Ugle-Hagan, who has barely been sighted at the club since the turn of the year as he continues to deal with personal problems.
He enjoyed the experience of being part of the Indigenous All Stars squad in Perth at the weekend and has told people close to him that he hopes to return to playing as quickly as possible.
Ugle-Hagan stretches out.Credit: Justin McManus
“Definitely had my ups and downs with family loss, and then I struggled with that and the balance of training,” Ugle-Hagan told Seven last week.
“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 said.
“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.”
He trained hard and took part in the full session, including match simulation, on Wednesday but the 22-year-old looked a far cry from the emerging star forward the game has witnessed in recent seasons.
The vast majority of the other 40-odd players on the Bulldogs’ list have endured a full pre-season and club officials are not shying away from that.
They are adamant that Ugle-Hagan will have to do his own mini pre-season before being considered for VFL selection.
Coaching staff said the club wouldn’t risk the integrity of selection by bringing him back too soon, before he had earned his spot.
Given pre-season for the rest of his teammates started back in November, it’s more likely Ugle-Hagan’s return to the AFL team will be closer to the middle of the season than the start of it.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returns to Western Bulldogs training.Credit: Justin McManus
The club is also waiting to see how consistently he trains from here on. Club officials were still unsure early on Wednesday if the star forward would train with the group later that morning.
The Bulldogs have their photo day at club headquarters on Thursday. The club is not yet able to confirm if Ugle-Hagan will attend. It’s a complex situation.
While he has trained twice with the VFL team and has been taking part in personal training sessions at a private gym in Hawthorn, Wednesday was the first time since early January that he had trained fully with the senior team.
He took part in skills drills early in the session and then played in match simulation drills towards the end.
The Dogs face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in round one, before hosting the Magpies in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG the following week.
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