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Wait are we allowed to talk about Jamarra's future at the club again?
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I keep seeing a lot being made of the "I don't know what's happening" comment.
For me that was him saying he feels happy, fit and healthy. Despite that, he's unsure why he's struggling mentally.
We really need to turn this around and keep him. I know we have coverage in his position, but he's already a very good player and the potential is limitless.Comment
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The Team World men’s side has been revamped and will bring a fresh energy and talent to the competition.
They will be led by Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as coach, whose experience and skill will be a huge asset to the team.
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FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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Ugle-Hagan returns to AFL training as Bontempelli ‘doesn’t buy into’ talk of Dogs exit
Star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been welcomed back to Western Bulldogs senior training in a positive step towards his eventual AFL return.
Ugle-Hagan, who’d spent time away from the club since late December due to personal issues, rejoined senior teammates at training on Wednesday — two days after he trained with the Dogs’ VFL team on Monday night.
Ugle-Hagan, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 National Draft, is not expected to be available in the early rounds of the season given he’s hardly trained with teammates since Christmas.
But his return to training on Wednesday was an encouraging step in Ugle-Hagan’s reintegration to the AFL program and eventual return to the field.
“It’s just good to see him at training,” Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli said on Tuesday at the Fox Footy season launch. “He had a nice weekend away for the All Stars game and the build up to that.
“We were (at Whitten Oval) last night, we had our Fox Footy shoot and it was good to see him out there, running around having a kick and enjoying himself. But no timeline or expectation from my perspective.”
Ugle-Hagan returned to training after joining his Indigenous All Stars teammates in Perth for Saturday night’s game against Fremantle.
It comes amid speculation around the 22-year old’s future, including Kangaroos legend David King on SEN radio saying he believes Ugle-Hagan is a “100 to one” chance to remain at Whitten Oval in 2026.
Bontempelli said his main focus was around Ugle-Hagan’s “personal health and wellbeing” following the gun forward’s leave of absence.
“I don’t buy into it at all, to be honest,” Bontempelli said of talk Ugle-Hagan could leave the Dogs.
“There’s always going to be things said, especially around high-profile players who are extremely talented, that’s part of the parcel of the game.
“It doesn’t factor into my thinking at all right here right now. My focus is Jamarra and his personal health and wellbeing and the football stuff will come second that.
“It doesn’t change anything about how much we still want Jamarra back in the program with whatever capacity that can be.”
Ugle-Hagan has booted 103 goals from four AFL seasons – including a personal best 43 majors last year. He signed a contract extension with the Dogs last year to tie him to the club until at least 2026.
The 67-gamer’s absence has been one of several setbacks for the Dogs this pre-season, with Cody Weightman (knee surgery) to join Adam Treloar (calf) and Liam Jones (hamstring) on the sidelines to start 2025.
Bontempelli described Weightman’s injury blow as “disappointing” despite it creating “opportunity for a few other guys” as the club battles a significant toll of casualties.
“It’s not ideal, everyone understands that. But whether it’s now or in two months’ time, you hope you can avoid (injuries), but it is just how footy plays out,” the Dogs skipper added.
“I’m always trying to look at things through an optimistic lens. Those players won’t be out there, but it’s going to create opportunities for others and test our resilience early on in the piece, which will only be a good thing for us.
“Different challenges can prepare you for the other ones you know will come.”
Bontempelli was also impressed with SSP hopefuls Brayden Crossley and Dom Brew as they battle for the club’s final list spot ahead of Friday’s deadline.
“It’s not my call, but based on his character and energy he’s brought, he’s a ripper,” Bontempelli said of Crossley, who’s hoping to return to AFL following a five-game stint at Gold Coast and help aid the Dogs’ thin key position stocks.
“Clearly from a positional perspective, the fact he’s there makes good sense but him and (Dom) Brewy are outstanding people.
“We’d be happy with the character of both of them but it comes down to the balance of the team and what is needed and I think Sam (Power) will make a call on that.”
LINKDon't piss off old people
The older we get the less "LIFE IN PRISON" is a deterrent...Comment
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Well said skip - what a lege!Ugle-Hagan returns to AFL training as Bontempelli ‘doesn’t buy into’ talk of Dogs exit
Star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been welcomed back to Western Bulldogs senior training in a positive step towards his eventual AFL return.
Ugle-Hagan, who’d spent time away from the club since late December due to personal issues, rejoined senior teammates at training on Wednesday — two days after he trained with the Dogs’ VFL team on Monday night.
Ugle-Hagan, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 National Draft, is not expected to be available in the early rounds of the season given he’s hardly trained with teammates since Christmas.
But his return to training on Wednesday was an encouraging step in Ugle-Hagan’s reintegration to the AFL program and eventual return to the field.
“It’s just good to see him at training,” Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli said on Tuesday at the Fox Footy season launch. “He had a nice weekend away for the All Stars game and the build up to that.
“We were (at Whitten Oval) last night, we had our Fox Footy shoot and it was good to see him out there, running around having a kick and enjoying himself. But no timeline or expectation from my perspective.”
Ugle-Hagan returned to training after joining his Indigenous All Stars teammates in Perth for Saturday night’s game against Fremantle.
It comes amid speculation around the 22-year old’s future, including Kangaroos legend David King on SEN radio saying he believes Ugle-Hagan is a “100 to one” chance to remain at Whitten Oval in 2026.
Bontempelli said his main focus was around Ugle-Hagan’s “personal health and wellbeing” following the gun forward’s leave of absence.
“I don’t buy into it at all, to be honest,” Bontempelli said of talk Ugle-Hagan could leave the Dogs.
“There’s always going to be things said, especially around high-profile players who are extremely talented, that’s part of the parcel of the game.
“It doesn’t factor into my thinking at all right here right now. My focus is Jamarra and his personal health and wellbeing and the football stuff will come second that.
“It doesn’t change anything about how much we still want Jamarra back in the program with whatever capacity that can be.”
Ugle-Hagan has booted 103 goals from four AFL seasons – including a personal best 43 majors last year. He signed a contract extension with the Dogs last year to tie him to the club until at least 2026.
The 67-gamer’s absence has been one of several setbacks for the Dogs this pre-season, with Cody Weightman (knee surgery) to join Adam Treloar (calf) and Liam Jones (hamstring) on the sidelines to start 2025.
Bontempelli described Weightman’s injury blow as “disappointing” despite it creating “opportunity for a few other guys” as the club battles a significant toll of casualties.
“It’s not ideal, everyone understands that. But whether it’s now or in two months’ time, you hope you can avoid (injuries), but it is just how footy plays out,” the Dogs skipper added.
“I’m always trying to look at things through an optimistic lens. Those players won’t be out there, but it’s going to create opportunities for others and test our resilience early on in the piece, which will only be a good thing for us.
“Different challenges can prepare you for the other ones you know will come.”
Bontempelli was also impressed with SSP hopefuls Brayden Crossley and Dom Brew as they battle for the club’s final list spot ahead of Friday’s deadline.
“It’s not my call, but based on his character and energy he’s brought, he’s a ripper,” Bontempelli said of Crossley, who’s hoping to return to AFL following a five-game stint at Gold Coast and help aid the Dogs’ thin key position stocks.
“Clearly from a positional perspective, the fact he’s there makes good sense but him and (Dom) Brewy are outstanding people.
“We’d be happy with the character of both of them but it comes down to the balance of the team and what is needed and I think Sam (Power) will make a call on that.”
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Bulldogs denied Ugle-Hagan's request to play for Indigenous All-Stars
By Sam Edmund
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s desperation to return to the game saw him ask the Western Bulldogs if he could play for the Indigenous All-Stars.
There was frustration and disappointment when that request was denied by the Dogs before both parties found a compromise, with the player fulfilling an off-field role in Perth last weekend.
Ugle-Hagan today returned to training after a turbulent pre-season in which he has rarely been available, joining teammates for a solid session on Whitten Oval.
But the forward’s renewed desire to return to action will be met with caution by the Dogs hierarchy.
Ugle-Hagan strung a couple of pre-season sessions together early in the program, but has scarcely trained with teammates since.
While the match fitness and touch will undoubtedly return in the weeks to come, Ugle-Hagan will also need to “do the time” among a playing group that has completed an arduous pre-season together.
The widespread support for Ugle-Hagan is countered by the belief among club decision-makers that quickly dropping him back into the Bulldogs’ best 22 won’t bode well for team harmony.
The 22-year-old stands as one of the most exciting forwards in the game, with the former No.1 draft pick kicking 43.35 last year.
His eventual return will be a big boost for a club hit hard by injury over the summer months, with Adam Treloar (calf), Liam Jones (hamstring) and Jason Johannisen (hamstring) all sidelined long-term.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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Sweet, the club are the bad guys.
No matter what the personal circumstances are, it would have been an objectively bad decision to let him play after not training. His risk of soft tissue injury would have been far too high.
Any frustration or disappointment felt by Marra and his camp is probably felt just as much by the people at the club who have been supporting him, and now have to deal with an article like this.
I am really glad that he was there with the all-stars group, and hope that it has helped him.Comment
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Correct call by the club. You can't not do a proper AFL pre-season and then just go and play a game. Would have been a huge injury risk not to mention to optics of choosing to play for the all stars but not train with his club.Comment
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If we're assuming that Marra will be training 100% (if not 110%) from now on and it's just a match fitness issue...
Could we see him as soon as Gather Round? There is 2 months between now and then... I have literally no idea how long it takes for someone to get "match fit".Comment
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