Troubled footy star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan makes HUGE leap forward with one act after not playing all year because of off-field issues
Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has addressed teammates on his return to Whitten Oval for the first time since taking a leave of absence seven weeks ago.
Ugle-Hagan fronted the Dogs' playing group on Monday, in a move that could open the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year.
The 23-year-old also took part in a light training session but could still be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level.
Ugle-Hagan hasn't played a game this season while dealing with personal issues, and has been unable to regularly train with the Bulldogs since late last year.
The 2020 No.1 draft pick recently visited a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track.
He also spent time in Sydney.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge last week raised the prospect of Ugle-Hagan resuming his 67-game AFL career with the club.
'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,' Beveridge said on Wednesday.
'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 approve Ugle-Hagan's comeback because he has been under the league's mental health plan since taking leave.
Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted until the end of next season, has also been the subject of trade speculation this year, with the Sydney Swans 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 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Flower links up with Wales ahead of World Cup
Former rugby league international Ben Flower has been added to Wales women's coaching will take charge of the collision area as Wales prepare for a two-Test tour of Australia and the Rugby World Cup that follows in England. Cardiff-born Flower was capped 17 times for Wales and played for Crusaders, Wigan Warriors and Leigh his career he won the Challenge Cup, three Super League titles and the World Club challenge with coached the South Wales Jets rugby league side and was part of Wales women's coaching team at the last World Cup in New Zealand. "To have this chance to play a role as Wales prepare for a World Cup is an opportunity I am looking forward to," said Flower."Being involved with Wales is always a privilege."Wales head coach Sean Lynn added: "Ben is someone who has worked with this squad of players before and the Women's Six Nations review highlighted the need to improve our collision work and dominance, both sides of the ball."
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
ICC ready to back WTC four-day Tests in boost for smaller nations
The International Cricket Council is ready to sanction four-day Tests in the World Test Championship to help smaller nations to play more games and longer series. In the next WTC cycle, which begins with Sri Lanka hosting Bangladesh in a two-Test series on Tuesday, only five-day Tests are permitted by the ICC which has led to an emphasis on truncated series. Of the 27 Test series to be played among the nine countries contesting the 2025-27 WTC, 19 will feature just two matches, there will be five three-match series and England, Australia and India will all play one five-match Test series against each other. During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord's, the ICC chief executive, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle. England, Australia and India would still be permitted to schedule five-Test series for the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the first iteration of which begins with the first Test between England and India at Headingley on Friday. The ICC first sanctioned four-day Tests for bilateral contests in 2017, with England playing Zimbabwe over four days at Trent Bridge last month after four-day Tests against Ireland in 2019 and 2023, although introducing them for the WTC would be a significant change and could lead to longer series. Many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to the time they take out of the schedule and the cost, but a move to four-day cricket would enable an entire three-Test series to be played in less than three weeks. In four-day Tests the playing hours are extended to mandate a minimum of 98 overs per day rather than 90 overs to mitigate the time lost. South Africa's threadbare itinerary despite being crowned world champions in the thrilling final against Australia at Lord's last week has further highlighted the issue, and focused minds on the need for change. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Temba Bavuma's squad travels to India for a two-Test series in November, but will not play a Test at home until October 2026.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Parents' footy fight is caught on video at U10s match - and as the sad aftermath with one of their sons is revealed
Shocking footage has emerged of two men squaring off in a heated altercation during an U10s footy match in Sydney this weekend. Radio 2GB published footage on Monday appearing to show a parent and another individual - who the broadcaster said was a coach of one of the teams - appearing to fight on the pitch. The incident is said to have taken place on Sunday during a game between the South Eastern Seagulls and the Redfern All Blacks at Heffron Park. The coach was seen appearing to make contact with the parent, who was walking backwards. The man, fell down to the ground in front of multiple junior players, leaving onlookers shocked. Broadcaster Mark Levy revealed he had been in contact with the parent, who had opened up on the details of the tense spat, while speaking of his concern for the children of both sides. Levy said the man had told him: 'Look, Mark, I'm just concerned for the kids because the fear in their eyes is heartbreaking.' The man then heartbreakingly revealed that his son had told him after the game: 'Dad, I don't want to play anymore.' Levy, then called for 'abuse, violence, intimidation' at junior footy matches around the country 'to stop', outraged by the video. The radio broadcaster then revealed that he too has seen this sort of thing first hand on the pitch before, having previously refereed junior footy, but spoke of his concerns at why violence is continuing to happen at local footy matches. 'Kids sport on the weekend is supposed to be about having some fun and getting some exercise, but sadly, we've got these parents who are trying to fulfil their sporting dreams through their kids,' he added. The video is the latest in a concerning rise in the number of ugly incidents taking place at junior footy matches, not just in Australia, but around the world. In the UK last week, a clip of a woman went viral as she appeared to boo a young player who was taking a kick at goal during a junior BARLA semi-final match. Back in February, Sydney team Fairfield Hotspurs had been hosting an Under 7s football tournament, when a mass brawl broke out on the touchline between spectators.
