'He's our player': Bulldogs coach speaks on ace forward

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has declared Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is "our player" amid speculation the exiled forward will seek a fresh start in Sydney.
Ugle-Hagan remains on a leave of absence from the Whitten Oval as he deals with personal issues.
The former No.1 draft pick hasn't played all season, after being unable to regularly train with the rest of the Bulldogs since late last year.
Ugle-Hagan has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life, and career, back on track.
On Tuesday, Ugle-Hagan posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving.
Beveridge declared the video of Ugle-Hagan a "great sign".
"We've got to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future," Beveridge said on Wednesday.
"I'm taking that as a positive ... with the new challenges and the commitment to going away and focusing on his own wellbeing and his life journey.
"Hopefully he's got some things in a bit more of an order, and that can propel him into his footy yet at some point. When that is, who knows, it might still be a fair way away."
A report on the Nine Network on Tuesday night suggested Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted at the Bulldogs until the end of 2026, was wanting to play with the Swans next season.
"Just take any speculation in regards to any player with a grain of salt, that's the way we approach it," Beveridge said.
"He's our player.
"I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year."
In further positive news for the Bulldogs, superstar forward Sam Darcy is expected to return from a knee injury for next week's clash with St Kilda.
Darcy hurt himself in the Bulldogs' previous game against the Saints back in round six.
Initial fears were that Darcy had ruptured his ACL and would miss the entire season.
But the 21-year-old looks like missing just seven games with an impaction fracture in his left knee.
"It seems like Sam will probably be available next week," Beveridge said ahead of Thursday night's match against Hawthorn.
"He's trained with the group, got through most of the sessions ... he's been a real pro in his rehab.
"It seems like he'll be ready for next week's game at this point in time."
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has declared Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is "our player" amid speculation the exiled forward will seek a fresh start in Sydney.
Ugle-Hagan remains on a leave of absence from the Whitten Oval as he deals with personal issues.
The former No.1 draft pick hasn't played all season, after being unable to regularly train with the rest of the Bulldogs since late last year.
Ugle-Hagan has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life, and career, back on track.
On Tuesday, Ugle-Hagan posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving.
Beveridge declared the video of Ugle-Hagan a "great sign".
"We've got to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future," Beveridge said on Wednesday.
"I'm taking that as a positive ... with the new challenges and the commitment to going away and focusing on his own wellbeing and his life journey.
"Hopefully he's got some things in a bit more of an order, and that can propel him into his footy yet at some point. When that is, who knows, it might still be a fair way away."
A report on the Nine Network on Tuesday night suggested Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted at the Bulldogs until the end of 2026, was wanting to play with the Swans next season.
"Just take any speculation in regards to any player with a grain of salt, that's the way we approach it," Beveridge said.
"He's our player.
"I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year."
In further positive news for the Bulldogs, superstar forward Sam Darcy is expected to return from a knee injury for next week's clash with St Kilda.
Darcy hurt himself in the Bulldogs' previous game against the Saints back in round six.
Initial fears were that Darcy had ruptured his ACL and would miss the entire season.
But the 21-year-old looks like missing just seven games with an impaction fracture in his left knee.
"It seems like Sam will probably be available next week," Beveridge said ahead of Thursday night's match against Hawthorn.
"He's trained with the group, got through most of the sessions ... he's been a real pro in his rehab.
"It seems like he'll be ready for next week's game at this point in time."
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has declared Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is "our player" amid speculation the exiled forward will seek a fresh start in Sydney.
Ugle-Hagan remains on a leave of absence from the Whitten Oval as he deals with personal issues.
The former No.1 draft pick hasn't played all season, after being unable to regularly train with the rest of the Bulldogs since late last year.
Ugle-Hagan has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life, and career, back on track.
On Tuesday, Ugle-Hagan posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving.
Beveridge declared the video of Ugle-Hagan a "great sign".
"We've got to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future," Beveridge said on Wednesday.
"I'm taking that as a positive ... with the new challenges and the commitment to going away and focusing on his own wellbeing and his life journey.
"Hopefully he's got some things in a bit more of an order, and that can propel him into his footy yet at some point. When that is, who knows, it might still be a fair way away."
A report on the Nine Network on Tuesday night suggested Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted at the Bulldogs until the end of 2026, was wanting to play with the Swans next season.
"Just take any speculation in regards to any player with a grain of salt, that's the way we approach it," Beveridge said.
"He's our player.
"I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year."
In further positive news for the Bulldogs, superstar forward Sam Darcy is expected to return from a knee injury for next week's clash with St Kilda.
Darcy hurt himself in the Bulldogs' previous game against the Saints back in round six.
Initial fears were that Darcy had ruptured his ACL and would miss the entire season.
But the 21-year-old looks like missing just seven games with an impaction fracture in his left knee.
"It seems like Sam will probably be available next week," Beveridge said ahead of Thursday night's match against Hawthorn.
"He's trained with the group, got through most of the sessions ... he's been a real pro in his rehab.
"It seems like he'll be ready for next week's game at this point in time."

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The Bulldogs got their man. This is their plan for Lachlan Galvin

The Age

5 hours ago

The Age

The Bulldogs got their man. This is their plan for Lachlan Galvin

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His character has been questioned, but from what I saw the Bulldogs have a genuine young man on their hands who has a huge desire to make a success of his career. What's more, he has the verbal and mental capacity to become a media performer and a household name for all the right reasons. Galvin shut down a number of myths that have been perpetuated recently around his desire to leave the Tigers and his relationships with key figures at the club. The most interesting take is that he was the one instructing his manager, Isaac Moses, on his future – not the other way around, as most have assumed. Loading He didn't shy away from the fact that he and Jarome Luai are not the best of mates, but did say he was capable of putting personal differences aside to play in a team with Luai and others. He wasn't too perturbed by critical Instagram posts by Luai and Sunia Turuva after revealing his desire to get out of the Tigers. Which makes you wonder how difficult things were elsewhere for him to initiate legal action against the club over bullying claims. Obviously, Galvin could handle what he viewed as light-hearted attacks on his character. The more serious allegations – which were contained in a dossier that ran to at least 18 points – was obviously heavy duty. Galvin did the interview with me last week knowing the Tigers had granted his release on the condition he did not make disparaging comments about the club or individuals. He certainly didn't seem rattled by anything I put to him. It'll be interesting if he's able to tell the full story one day. Tigers won't be Api with skipper The Perth Bears would love to hear that Api Koroisau is keen to play for them, after the Wests Tigers skipper touted himself to the new team via a media conference. The media lapped it up – but given Tigers players and management fried Lachlan Galvin for privately expressing his desire to leave because he couldn't see himself developing under Benji Marshall, it will be interesting to see if Tigers management respond. Galvin wasn't the captain and didn't identify another club he wanted to play for via the media. A fair question is, was it team-first? Or Api first? Tim's a-changing While on the Tigers, it was no surprise that Tim Sheens wasn't at the 20-year reunion of the 2005 Premiership side. There may be other reasons, but be certain Sheens doesn't have any time for current coach Marshall. Which is surprising, when you think he was mentoring Benji for the top job only a couple of years back before leaving the Tigers. Is Turbo corked? It's interesting to note how long Tom Trbojevic has been hampered by a cork in his leg. Manly said he had been playing with the injury for several weeks before aggravating it against the Eels in round 12. He was then rested last week against the Broncos and missed Thursday night's loss to Newcastle. Stephen Crichton recovered from a corked thigh in 48 hours to star in Origin. This column has heard whispers Trbojevic has actually suffered a hamstring injury, which the Eagles have wanted to keep quiet so Tom isn't harassed by media. Titans roster reshuffle looms At least one club has been sounded out in recent days about signing Jayden Campbell. The Titans have depth in the fullback area and enough talent in the halves. You have to think they need a roster rejig after a poor start to the year. Bear necessities No one questions Mal Meninga 's standing as an Immortal of the game. But many are quietly saying he is a risk as the Perth coach. Here is what you need to consider. Meninga has been a great coach for Queensland and Australia, but throughout that time he has been acknowledged primarily as a brilliant man-manager while delegating coaching duties to the likes of Michael Hagan, Neil Henry, Adrian Lam and Brett White. It's likely that lack of ego will see him hand over the nuts and bolts to his assistant coaches. If he doesn't, it would be a huge surprise and a potential problem. Meninga knows his strength lies in creating the culture of a club and being a salesman for the Bears. His aura and reputation should be exploited to attract players to the new franchise. The NRL has also taken a risk by appointing Anthony De Ceglie as Bears CEO. The former News Corp and Seven West journalist/editor has copped a pasting in the media so far, remaining silent as his credibility and credentials have been questioned. It will be interesting to see who he leans on in the media as he is off with the West Australian, which he edited for years. The situation is the same at the Seven network, but he has some old mates at News Corp, who are sure to give him a soft run. His greatest ally is Peter V'landys, who has backed him to the hilt. V'landys rarely gets it wrong and has vouched for De Ceglie. Low tactics delayed Mal move Loading Part of the delay around the Meninga announcement was because he was lowballed at $600,000 when negotiations over his salary began. Meninga would have been one of the lower-paid coaches in the NRL if he accepted that offer. He was also required to give up his incomes from the Kangaroos, Raiders and Fox Sport. Keeping those gigs would have had him earning that salary. Smith silent treatment a poor look Cam Smith put his hand up to succeed Meninga as Australian coach, and deserved some level of acknowledgment from the NRL given his standing in the game. Some 36 hours later, they sounded out Brad Fittler for the position. I bumped into Smith in North Sydney and asked him what the NRL had said to him. At that point, no one contacted him. That's hardly acceptable for a man of his standing.