04-05-2025
Footy super agent delivers update on troubled footy star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after Western Bulldogs forward took a swipe at Nick Riewoldt
Footy super agent Paul Connors has delivered an insight into how Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is progressing, as the troubled Western Bulldogs star works through multiple personal issues.
Ugle-Hagan, 23, has made sporadic appearances at training for the Bulldogs in the past five months and has not featured for the Dogs at all this season.
Last week, Luke Beveridges' side announced that the No 1 draft pick - who was the club's leading goal scorer last season - would be taking an extended leave of absence to deal with the matter.
'I think there's been so much commentary around Jamarra that unless you're in the inner sanctum you won't be privy to everything that we're privy too,' Connors told SEN 1116.
'I'd like to say that we're really proud of where Jamarra's heading. As a company and as individuals, we've really supported and so have many people.
'I believe he's heading in the right direction but hopefully he'll be back on track, not in the very near future but soon.'
Paul Connors speaks on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's current situation. #AFL
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) May 4, 2025
Sports agent Paul Connors (pictured) has opened up on how Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been progressing
Connors is the founder of Connors Sports Management, a leading player agency firm that represents a raft of top players including, Bailey Smith, Nick Daicos and Ugle-Hagan.
Ugle-Hagan has copped flack in recent weeks for some images he has published on his social media accounts that appear to show him out drinking and partying with friends.
Last week he was seen at the RUNIT Championships in Melbourne, watching George Burgess and Nemani Nadolo compete as part of the event.
Asked about how players handle the pressures and expectations around social media in the modern age of footy, Connors said: 'I think social media is hard, isn't it.
'I think it is exasperating the mental health challenges that individuals have.
'But it's not just immune to AFL players, it's young kids and adolescents across the world.'
Last week, Ugle-Hagan was involved in a spat with Nick Riewoldt after the St Kilda great criticised the Dogs forward over the ongoing situation.
'I'm big on this; I think the balance of power has moved too far in the player's favour and you end up with a situation like this,' Riewoldt said Triple M's Mick in the Morning.
'It is difficult to talk about because there is mental health at play here, but clubs should have some sort of discretion to be able to recoup some of that money.
'It feels like players can essentially take the p***. There are all types of rumours and innuendo out there as to whether he is tanking – and we don't need to get into all the various (rumoured) situations – but it's hard to see him playing footy again for the Dogs this year.'
The 23-year-old subsequently changed his Instagram display picture to a photograph of Riewoldt wearing no clothes following the nude photo scandal back in 2010.
Reflecting on the situation with Riewoldt in the past week, Connors opened up on how AFL player managers work with their stars when it comes to social media.
'Taking Jamarra out of it, whether it's Bailey Smith, Patrick Dangerfield - they've got to have their own brand and their own social media,' Connors explained.
'You wouldn't want to just run it for someone but you can give them [advice].
'There's a number of AFL players that we've managed over the years that we'd say, hey that's probably not right Instagram story or that's not the right brand that you're trying to promote.'
