Bulldogs AFL coach Luke Beveridge weighs in on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan speculation
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has dismissed speculation Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is seeking a fresh start in Sydney.
A report on the Nine Network on Tuesday night suggested Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted at the Bulldogs until the end of 2026, wanted to play with the Swans next season.
Ugle-Hagan remains on a leave of absence from the Whitten Oval as he deals with personal issues.
The former top draft pick has not played all season after being unable to regularly train with the rest of the Bulldogs since late last year.
"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. We'll do our best to continue to look at what's right for him and look after him.
"I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year."
Ugle-Hagan has recently spent time at a health retreat in northern NSW.
On Tuesday, he posted a training montage on social media appearing to show his physical and mental health was improving.
Beveridge said the video of Ugle-Hagan was a "great sign".
"We've got to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future," Beveridge said.
"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."
In further positive news for the Bulldogs, star 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 match against the Saints 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 matches with an impacted fracture in his left knee.
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