James Hird calls out troubled Bulldogs player over 'unacceptable' move at club
James Hird says it's "unacceptable" for Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to choose a night out with friends over attending his club's special centenary AFL game against Collingwood on Friday night. Ugle-Hagan's future at the club is already under a massive cloud and the 22-year-old did little to dampen speculation that he's on the outer after reportedly going on a night out at the Brighton Beach Hotel, rather than watch his teammates take on the Magpies at the MCG.
The match held extra significance for the Bulldogs as it marked the 100th anniversary of their first VFL game, with the club's name reverting to Footscray for the round to honour the occasion. But Ugle-Hagan was conspicuously absent from the milestone game, despite reports he'd been seen attending an NBL finals game on Wednesday night, followed by the NRL grand final replay between the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on Thursday night.
The key forward has been dealing with personal issues and spent time away from the Bulldogs over the summer, with coach Luke Beveridge admitting last week that he wasn't even sure whether the 22-year-old will return to play in the AFL this season. Even still, many would have expected the former No.1 draft pick to be there to support his team against Collingwood - regardless of whether it was a milestone game or not.
Speaking about the bizarre situation on Nine's Footy Furnace on Sunday night, AFL reporter Tom Morris revealed that the Bulldogs player posted about his evening out at the Brighton Beach Hotel, during Friday night's game. And when he asked Hird for his thoughts about Ugle-Hagan choosing to skip his side's match, the Essendon legend did not hold back with his thoughts.
"I don't understand," Hird said. "He went to the NBL on Wednesday, NRL on Thursday in Melbourne - but didn't go to the Bulldogs game on Friday? That's very strange. It's unacceptable and I didn't know he did that. You would think the most important thing would be to go and watch your teammates. I can't imagine a player not going to watch his team mates, unless he's ill."
If that happened exactly as reported there is no coming back from that. He's done as a Dogs player. And he's massacring his value. Guaranteed clubs will still line up for him but he won't get the dollars his talent alone would bring.
— Go Lions (@LJ49602786) March 23, 2025
JUH should have been at the G 100% The Western Bulldogs should get rid of him ASAP
— Steve (@AttungaRacing) March 23, 2025
Doesn't matter what else he was doing, but shocked he wasn't there Friday what a joke
— Steve (@steve_wars) March 23, 2025
Anyone that thinks this is ok or he has his own life outside of the club have zero idea how a footy club works.. if true as reported, then I'd be looking to get the best deal and trade him on.. nobody disrespect your club especially in a big day as the clubs 100th year..
— Sammy D 🇮🇹🇱🇧 (@SammyD07472017) March 23, 2025
The situation around Ugle-Hagan comes amid reports he's fallen out of favour with the Bulldogs coach and teammates, and that Geelong could be interesting in offering him a lifeline. Beveridge said recently that he couldn't guarantee Ugle-Hagan would play for the club at all this year, which has only fuelled the speculation. 'I can't answer that definitively... we are hoping,' Beveridge said. 'Like some of the other answers, time will tell.'
However, the Sydney Swans have now emerged as another potential landing spot for Ugle-Hagan, according to Herald Sun chief football reporter Jay Clark. 'I'm not convinced he is staying at the Western Bulldogs, and Sydney, for mine, is the club that's in the box seat," Clark told Fox Footy's First Crack on Sunday night. "He spends a lot of time up there."
Dual premiership Kangaroos legend David King suggested Ugle-Hagan's qualities would compliment the Swans perfectly after claiming the youngster was a "100-1" long-shot of staying at the Bulldogs. 'I think the Swans have a great way of shaping these guys again in their outside-of-football world," King said.
'(Hayden) McLean — seven targets today, no marks. (Joel) Amartey — six for two. (Will) Hayward, he gets too many looks for the target that he is. They need a player like Jamarra. Before this list really goes bang, they need to try and secure someone, and I reckon he's 100-1 to be at the Dogs next year. I've said that before.'
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