Injured Dogs star Darcy could return this season
Western Bulldogs star Sam Darcy could return to boost the club's AFL finals hopes later this season after avoiding the need for surgery on his injured left knee.
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
AFL round 14 St Kilda v Western Bulldogs: Live updates, news and SuperCoach scores
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been talking to troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and is hoping to have him back 'really soon' amid ongoing speculation about the former No. 1 draft pick's future. As Beveridge, who inked a new two-year contract extension this week, confirmed another young gun, Sam Darcy, would make his return against St Kilda just 52 days after suffering what looked a serious knee injury, the premiership-winning mentor said he'd been in talks with Ugle-Hagan during his time away from the Bulldogs. The 23-year-old hasn't played a game in 2025 and remains on leave from the club having previously been placed on a flexible training arrangement as he dealt with off-field issues. That prolonged absence, and varied reports that he had lost the trust of teammates, increased speculation Ugle-Hagan would have to resume his career at another club despite being contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of 2026. Beveridge, however, said Ugle-Hagan, who has spent time in a health retreat in northern NSW while continuing to put in serious training, was not lost to the Bulldogs and held out hope a football return could be looming. 'We're working through that. I've had some meetings with 'Marra',' Beveridge said on Wednesday. 'He's come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what's next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there. 'Whether it's in the distance or whether it's a month-and-a-half away, I couldn't tell you. 'But we're hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that's about all I can tell you.' Ugle-Hagan's comeback would also need AFL approval given he was placed under the league's mental health plan. The return of Darcy, however, is more clear cut, with the 21-year-old budding superstar having completed all necessary recovery to take his place against the Saints at Marvel Stadium in a massive boost to the 6-6 Bulldogs. Beveridge said Darcy could expect a 'bit of ruck time' to avoid upsetting a forward line that has continued to score in his absence, albeit not enough against Hawthorn last week. But it's his forward presence that could alter the Bulldogs game for the better. 'Sam is ready to go,' Beveridge said. 'He's done a really scrupulous and professional job on his rehabilitation form that injury. 'We'll blend a bit of ruck time in there to make sure he's involved in the game. 'But he's an enormous threat. We saw the way his season was evolving and his presence and early in the game last week Hawthorn took a lot of intercept marks and with Sam there, that's not going to happen. 'We'll still look to share the load, but Sam will be used when he's presenting.'
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Quite happily' - inductee played hard off the field
Imagine the reaction if Max Gawn was serving an AFL suspension and spent the new few days on a trip to Lord's to watch the World Test Championship. Australian Football Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Darley freely admits he wouldn't make it as a player now. Darley gave one of the all-time acceptance speeches at Tuesday night's annual induction dinner. While at times his comments drew an uncomfortable gasp from the audience at the Melbourne black tie function, he was the hit of the evening. His best among several memorable anecdotes was being suspended in 1972 while starring as a ruckman for SANFL side South Adelaide. He was also working in sales for the then-national airline TAA and that gave him first-class international plane tickets. So without his coach knowing, Darley flew to London to watch an Ashes Test. He was at Lord's when Australian bowler Bob Massie took 16 wickets on debut. He celebrated hard on the flight home, but soon after his return had to play Glenelg. "I must have turned on the gas and we went past Glenelg, but after three-quarter time I'd run out of gas and I called the bloody stretcher," he said. "Halfway off the ground the stretcher broke and I had to get up and walk off. "Football was something I did on a Saturday and fortunately I was able to get away with it. I wouldn't today, I tell you." Darley starred in South's most recent premiership, way back in 1964, under legendary coach Neil Kerley. "He had us running through sand hills and I said 'well, that's where I used to take my girlfriends'," Darley said. "He taught (us) how to play as a team, not only on the football field, but he also offered us the opportunity to play off the football field - which I took up quite readily and happily." In paying tribute to his fellow inductees, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was particularly taken with Darley. "I'd be happy to go on a footy trip with Peter Darley - I don't know who you are, Pete, but I like the sound of you,," Lyon said. While Darley and Lyon drew the laughs, AFLW greats Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce brought the emotion with their acceptance speeches. They joined trailblazer Debbie Lee as the only women in the hall of fame. Phillips and Pearce paid tribute to Lee, while Phillips and her father Greg provided the highlight of the night. They are the first father and daughter to be hall of fame members, with Greg already inducted for his stellar playing career at Port Adelaide and Collingwood. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," Phillips said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status, while modern greats Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge were also inducted. Darley joined Tasmania's John Leedham and George Owens from WA as this year's historical inductees. There was a sense of sliding doors for Riewoldt and Lyon. Riewoldt was living on the Gold Coast when he was drafted to St Kilda. Another 26km closer to Brisbane, he would have been in the Lions' recruiting zone at the time. Lyon's father Peter played for Hawthorn, but not nearly enough to earn a father-son selection. Lyon never made a grand final at Melbourne and noted his career coincided with four Hawthorn premierships. "I haven't thought about it much," Lyon deadpanned, while also noting he had a "wonderful, wonderful time" at the Demons. Imagine the reaction if Max Gawn was serving an AFL suspension and spent the new few days on a trip to Lord's to watch the World Test Championship. Australian Football Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Darley freely admits he wouldn't make it as a player now. Darley gave one of the all-time acceptance speeches at Tuesday night's annual induction dinner. While at times his comments drew an uncomfortable gasp from the audience at the Melbourne black tie function, he was the hit of the evening. His best among several memorable anecdotes was being suspended in 1972 while starring as a ruckman for SANFL side South Adelaide. He was also working in sales for the then-national airline TAA and that gave him first-class international plane tickets. So without his coach knowing, Darley flew to London to watch an Ashes Test. He was at Lord's when Australian bowler Bob Massie took 16 wickets on debut. He celebrated hard on the flight home, but soon after his return had to play Glenelg. "I must have turned on the gas and we went past Glenelg, but after three-quarter time I'd run out of gas and I called the bloody stretcher," he said. "Halfway off the ground the stretcher broke and I had to get up and walk off. "Football was something I did on a Saturday and fortunately I was able to get away with it. I wouldn't today, I tell you." Darley starred in South's most recent premiership, way back in 1964, under legendary coach Neil Kerley. "He had us running through sand hills and I said 'well, that's where I used to take my girlfriends'," Darley said. "He taught (us) how to play as a team, not only on the football field, but he also offered us the opportunity to play off the football field - which I took up quite readily and happily." In paying tribute to his fellow inductees, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was particularly taken with Darley. "I'd be happy to go on a footy trip with Peter Darley - I don't know who you are, Pete, but I like the sound of you,," Lyon said. While Darley and Lyon drew the laughs, AFLW greats Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce brought the emotion with their acceptance speeches. They joined trailblazer Debbie Lee as the only women in the hall of fame. Phillips and Pearce paid tribute to Lee, while Phillips and her father Greg provided the highlight of the night. They are the first father and daughter to be hall of fame members, with Greg already inducted for his stellar playing career at Port Adelaide and Collingwood. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," Phillips said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status, while modern greats Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge were also inducted. Darley joined Tasmania's John Leedham and George Owens from WA as this year's historical inductees. There was a sense of sliding doors for Riewoldt and Lyon. Riewoldt was living on the Gold Coast when he was drafted to St Kilda. Another 26km closer to Brisbane, he would have been in the Lions' recruiting zone at the time. Lyon's father Peter played for Hawthorn, but not nearly enough to earn a father-son selection. Lyon never made a grand final at Melbourne and noted his career coincided with four Hawthorn premierships. "I haven't thought about it much," Lyon deadpanned, while also noting he had a "wonderful, wonderful time" at the Demons. Imagine the reaction if Max Gawn was serving an AFL suspension and spent the new few days on a trip to Lord's to watch the World Test Championship. Australian Football Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Darley freely admits he wouldn't make it as a player now. Darley gave one of the all-time acceptance speeches at Tuesday night's annual induction dinner. While at times his comments drew an uncomfortable gasp from the audience at the Melbourne black tie function, he was the hit of the evening. His best among several memorable anecdotes was being suspended in 1972 while starring as a ruckman for SANFL side South Adelaide. He was also working in sales for the then-national airline TAA and that gave him first-class international plane tickets. So without his coach knowing, Darley flew to London to watch an Ashes Test. He was at Lord's when Australian bowler Bob Massie took 16 wickets on debut. He celebrated hard on the flight home, but soon after his return had to play Glenelg. "I must have turned on the gas and we went past Glenelg, but after three-quarter time I'd run out of gas and I called the bloody stretcher," he said. "Halfway off the ground the stretcher broke and I had to get up and walk off. "Football was something I did on a Saturday and fortunately I was able to get away with it. I wouldn't today, I tell you." Darley starred in South's most recent premiership, way back in 1964, under legendary coach Neil Kerley. "He had us running through sand hills and I said 'well, that's where I used to take my girlfriends'," Darley said. "He taught (us) how to play as a team, not only on the football field, but he also offered us the opportunity to play off the football field - which I took up quite readily and happily." In paying tribute to his fellow inductees, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was particularly taken with Darley. "I'd be happy to go on a footy trip with Peter Darley - I don't know who you are, Pete, but I like the sound of you,," Lyon said. While Darley and Lyon drew the laughs, AFLW greats Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce brought the emotion with their acceptance speeches. They joined trailblazer Debbie Lee as the only women in the hall of fame. Phillips and Pearce paid tribute to Lee, while Phillips and her father Greg provided the highlight of the night. They are the first father and daughter to be hall of fame members, with Greg already inducted for his stellar playing career at Port Adelaide and Collingwood. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," Phillips said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status, while modern greats Nick Riewoldt and Luke Hodge were also inducted. Darley joined Tasmania's John Leedham and George Owens from WA as this year's historical inductees. There was a sense of sliding doors for Riewoldt and Lyon. Riewoldt was living on the Gold Coast when he was drafted to St Kilda. Another 26km closer to Brisbane, he would have been in the Lions' recruiting zone at the time. Lyon's father Peter played for Hawthorn, but not nearly enough to earn a father-son selection. Lyon never made a grand final at Melbourne and noted his career coincided with four Hawthorn premierships. "I haven't thought about it much," Lyon deadpanned, while also noting he had a "wonderful, wonderful time" at the Demons.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Coach flags Western Bulldogs return for Ugle-Hagan
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is hopeful Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will soon return to the club, opening the door for the troubled forward to resume his AFL career. Ugle-Hagan is on a leave of absence as he deals with personal issues and hasn't played a game this season, after being unable to regularly train with the Bulldogs since late last year. The 23-year-old has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life - and career - back on track. Ugle-Hagan last week posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving. On Wednesday, Beveridge said the Bulldogs were in the process of getting Ugle-Hagan back to Whitten Oval, with an eye towards the 67-game forward returning to action. "We're working through that - got some meetings with 'Marra'," Beveridge said. "He's come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what's next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there. "Whether it's in the distance or whether it's a month and a half away, I couldn't tell you. "But we're hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that's about all I can tell you." The AFL would need to tick off Ugle-Hagan's comeback because he has been under the league's mental health plan since taking leave. The 2020 No.1 draft pick has been the subject of trade speculation, with Sydney considered possible suitors. However, Beveridge recently swatted away suggestions Ugle-Hagan could be on the move at the end of the season, declaring him "our player". "I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year," Beveridge said last week. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is hopeful Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will soon return to the club, opening the door for the troubled forward to resume his AFL career. Ugle-Hagan is on a leave of absence as he deals with personal issues and hasn't played a game this season, after being unable to regularly train with the Bulldogs since late last year. The 23-year-old has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life - and career - back on track. Ugle-Hagan last week posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving. On Wednesday, Beveridge said the Bulldogs were in the process of getting Ugle-Hagan back to Whitten Oval, with an eye towards the 67-game forward returning to action. "We're working through that - got some meetings with 'Marra'," Beveridge said. "He's come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what's next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there. "Whether it's in the distance or whether it's a month and a half away, I couldn't tell you. "But we're hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that's about all I can tell you." The AFL would need to tick off Ugle-Hagan's comeback because he has been under the league's mental health plan since taking leave. The 2020 No.1 draft pick has been the subject of trade speculation, with Sydney considered possible suitors. However, Beveridge recently swatted away suggestions Ugle-Hagan could be on the move at the end of the season, declaring him "our player". "I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year," Beveridge said last week. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is hopeful Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will soon return to the club, opening the door for the troubled forward to resume his AFL career. Ugle-Hagan is on a leave of absence as he deals with personal issues and hasn't played a game this season, after being unable to regularly train with the Bulldogs since late last year. The 23-year-old has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life - and career - back on track. Ugle-Hagan last week posted a Rocky-style training montage that appeared to show his physical and mental health was improving. On Wednesday, Beveridge said the Bulldogs were in the process of getting Ugle-Hagan back to Whitten Oval, with an eye towards the 67-game forward returning to action. "We're working through that - got some meetings with 'Marra'," Beveridge said. "He's come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what's next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there. "Whether it's in the distance or whether it's a month and a half away, I couldn't tell you. "But we're hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that's about all I can tell you." The AFL would need to tick off Ugle-Hagan's comeback because he has been under the league's mental health plan since taking leave. The 2020 No.1 draft pick has been the subject of trade speculation, with Sydney considered possible suitors. However, Beveridge recently swatted away suggestions Ugle-Hagan could be on the move at the end of the season, declaring him "our player". "I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year," Beveridge said last week. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
