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Luke Beveridge wants to see strong commitment from troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after return to club
Luke Beveridge wants to see strong commitment from troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after return to club

News.com.au

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • News.com.au

Luke Beveridge wants to see strong commitment from troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after return to club

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expects troubled forward Jamarra Ugle Hagan to 'blend in' full-time to the program again after making commitments around his return to the club this week with 'some basic objectives' while declaring a playing comeback was still not certain. Beveridge said the club's 'finite resources' had to be shared among the entire playing group and if there were any signs 23-year-old Ugle-Hagan, who still had a 'lot to work through', was slipping back into habits that demanded a break from the club, then his future with the Bulldogs would be re-evaluated. Having spent time in a mental health retreat as part of AFL-guided plan to get his life and career back on track, Ugle-Hagan, the former No.1 draft pick who hasn't played a game in 2025 amid off-field turbulence, returned to training with teammates this week. Beveridge said the expectation was now that Ugle-Hagan, who had been on a flexible training arrangement early in the year, reintegrated full-time, but having had conversations with the young star, he was conscious there would be more 'challenges' to come 'It was important we spent some tome together and talked about some simple things, some basic objectives to aspire to in this period of time and we've done that and I am comfortable with the platform now,' Beveridge said on Thursday. 'The challenges still remain for a young man who has been away from the club for a period of time and the question mark will be 'can you be compliant, be here when you need to build this next part of your career?' 'He knows that and we are hoping he wakes up every morning with some enthusiasm to come in and improve his footy but get his life back on track. 'We'll keep an open mind, that's the commitment at the moment and if it falters, we'll need to work through why and understand it again. 'It's a bit like the question around who will he play for and when will it be? It's a bit of an unknown because there will be some tests still along the way.' Beveridge said Ugle-Hagan was aware he needed to be one of many again and not drain club resources in his attempt to get back to the field. 'Our mandate is to take care of everyone,' Beveridge said. 'We've only got finite labour resources, it needs to be spread across many people and critically the playing group and Jamarra understands that. 'He knows if they are compromised … focused on him too much, it will affect things. 'You've almost got to blend in, you are one of a group of players who are so important to us as people as much as players, but we need to spread our love through the whole group., 'My expectation is he starts to blend in … and if there's signs that's not happening, then we'll need to work it out.' Beveridge said the club would work through Ugle-Hagan's return 'patiently' and put no pressure on a playing return. 'It's difficult to make any predictions when he might play at either level,' he said. 'Probably best we keep our powder dry on that.'

'Played the biggest role': Laura Kane's actions come to light after Ugle-Hagan's return
'Played the biggest role': Laura Kane's actions come to light after Ugle-Hagan's return

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

'Played the biggest role': Laura Kane's actions come to light after Ugle-Hagan's return

The AFL's executive general manager Laura Kane reportedly played a pivotal role in helping convince Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to return to training with the Western Bulldogs on Monday. Ugle-Hagan fronted the Bulldogs' playing group for the first time since taking a leave of absence seven weeks ago, and was seen taking part in light training drills. Whether or not it opens the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year remains to be seen, but he could be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level. The 23-year-old hasn't played a game this season due to personal issues, and hasn't been regularly training with the Bulldogs since late last year. Discussing the situation on Monday night, leading journalist Caroline Wilson claimed Kane has been "meeting semi-regularly" with Ugle-Hagan and has "played the biggest role of anyone from the AFL" in getting him back on the training paddock. "She's been involved in many of the meetings with Jamarra and has played a pivotal role," Wilson said on Channel 7 program 'The Agenda Setters'. Wilson said Ugle-Hagan expressed remorse to teammates and staff on Monday, and the Bulldogs will be "cautious" when deciding when he might play again. Speaking on SEN radio on Tuesday, fellow journalist Tom Morris revealed the return to training was sparked by Ugle-Hagan bumping into some teammates on Saturday night. "Laura Kane has been meeting semi-regularly with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and she has - I think - played the biggest role of anyone from the AFL."Caroline Wilson on Jamarra's return to the Bulldogs 👉 — 7AFL (@7AFL) June 16, 2025 But Morris believes there are a number of Bulldogs players who need to see a lot more from Ugle-Hagan before the club can consider a return to playing. 'The club wasn't even 100 per cent sure that Jamarra would turn up on Monday. They were hopeful, he said he wanted to be there," Morris said. 'He bumped into a few teammates at the Osborne on Saturday night who were there for a teammate's birthday. He was saying he was going to be there on Monday, but as late as Sunday afternoon there wasn't any confirmation. 'He'd spoken to Ameet Bains, the CEO. He'd spoken to Luke Beveridge, the coach. He was there at the club, early, ready to go. He walked in, he spoke to his teammates. There was no apology or sorry per se, but there was an acknowledgment of remorse for the way things have panned out and some of his actions over the past few months. 'Which satisfied some people but there's still a section of the playing group that needs to be convinced that Jamarra is the professional an AFL player should be. It's going to take some time, that's for sure. There are still some players who are circumspect around his return. But they're willing to give him a go." Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes Ugle-Hagan won't play another game for the Bulldogs at AFL level, but the club will use him in VFL to get him ready for a potential trade. "I was surprised to see him back," Lloyd said on 3AW radio. "For his own career and for him to play somewhere next year, he needed to go back and it's good for him, that helps him find a new home next year ... and it's good for the Dogs because it gets his (trade) value up and they can get something for him. "He won't play a game for the Dogs. He might play four VFL games late in the year, but it's almost like fattening the cow, in a sense. They're fattening his value so the Dogs can get something for a former No.1 draft pick." RELATED: AFL world sends flood of messages over news about Abbey Holmes Erin Phillips' heartfelt admission about family after highest honour Ugle-Hagan is contracted with the Dogs until the end of 2026, but has been the subject of trade speculation and linked with a possible move to the Sydney Swans. But Beveridge recently swatted away suggestions he could be on the move this year, declaring him "our player". "I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year," Beveridge said earlier this month. Ugle-Hagan led the Bulldogs with a career-best 43 goals in 22 appearances last year, but has not featured at any level since the elimination final defeat to Hawthorn. His return to the club comes with the Bulldogs (7-6) sitting ninth on the ladder - one win outside the top eight - ahead of a clash with Richmond on Sunday. with AAP

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