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.'
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