AFL trade news: Geelong interested in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

After snaring Bailey Smith last trade period, Geelong could be at the front of the queue to snare Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan should he leave the kennel come season’s end.

Geelong is one of a group of potential suitors for former South Warrnambool product Jamarra Ugle-Hagan even as the Cats lock away star Jeremy Cameron until 2027.

The Herald Sun can reveal premiership matchwinner Cameron, 31, will soon be tied away for two more full seasons after productive recent discussions.

Cameron signed a five-year deal worth $5 million to cross from Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2020 and is officially in the final year of that deal.

But a games-based trigger has already been reached, giving him security through to the end of 2026.

The club has recently negotiated a deal with his management to add an additional season which will see Cameron playing as a 34-year-old in 2027.

Geelong is keen on Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Picture: Michael Klein

It will mean he will end up playing a minimum of 15 seasons of AFL after eight years at GWS.

The club’s investment in Cameron is already justified after his role in the 2022 premiership in a 65-goal season after the Cats gave up three first-rounders (and received two second-rounders in return).

It will also give Cameron, who has 652 AFL goals, a chance to hit 800 goals and eclipse Matthew Richardson, who currently sits in 12th place on the AFL goalkicking tally.

Fellow key forward Ugle-Hagan is likely months away from returning to football given his methodical progress from myriad issues after missing the entire pre-season.

Nearly every AFL club would likely chase Ugle-Hagan if he was on the open market but he remains contracted to the end of 2026.

It will not stop clubs like Geelong from monitoring his season and registering interest if he decides to move on.

Ugle-Hagan has a friendship with new Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith, who has escaped the fishbowl of Melbourne after his own personal issues and has bought a property with some acreage out of Geelong.

Ugle-Hagan grew up on the Framlingham Aboriginal reserve about 20km from Warrnambool and played for South Warrnambool football club before being secured as the No. 1 overall pick as an Academy player for the Western Bulldogs.

Framlingham is only two hours from Geelong and even less from the area west of Geelong where many players have set up farms and houses.

But while many clubs will be in pursuit striking a deal with the Dogs would be especially problematic given the Cats were seen to have won in their trade for Smith.

Jeremy Cameron has triggered a contract extension until the end of 2027. Picture: Michael Klein

They secured pick 17 and Carlton’s Matt Kennedy for Smith and St Kilda-bound Jackson Macrae in a trade where the Cats eventually gave up that No. 17 draft pick and pick 38, securing Smith and pick 45.

Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie was evasive on Saturday when quizzed about the club’s interest in Ugle-Hagan on the weekend.

But he made clear the Cats were interested in assessing all quality players across the football landscape.

The Cats have already spoken to Gold Coast inside mid Matt Rowell over summer, while Demons star Clayton Oliver met with key Cats figures last year and wanted a trade before the Demons rejected rival interest.

Coach Chris Scott has said the club’s salary cap discipline has been one of their chief weapons as they have built a premiership list.

So while the Cats would be unlikely to offer the most cash for Ugle-Hagan if he was on the move they could offer the lifestyle and proximity to home that no other club would match.

Originally published as AFL trade news: Geelong interested in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan