Jamarra Ugle-Hagan gets stuck into a new sport as the Bulldogs star ramps up training in his bid to return to footy
The Western Bulldogs forward has been taking an extended leave of absence as he works his way through personal issues away from the footy pitch.
The former No 1 draft pick had sparked concerns earlier this season after appearing at training only sporadically, while also not featuring for the Bulldogs this season.
It also appears that his time at the Whitten Oval could be coming to an end, with Channel 9 reporter Tom Morris claiming that the 23-year-old wants to play for the Sydney Swans next season.
It had previously been revealed that Ugle-Hagan was set to travel north of Melbourne to undertake a wellness retreat and last week, the Bulldogs star forward gave fans an update on how he was progressing as he looked to make his return to footy.
He published several images of himself training in Byron in a 'Rocky '-style montage.
Ugle-Hagan has been in Sydney working with a personal trainer and posted an update of himself also doing reformer pilates
The footy star has published several updates on how he's been working on his fitness as he looks to make a comeback to the pitch
He was seen running up a steep hill, while also working with personal trainer, Byron Bay Boxing, sparring and skipping in the gym.
He also issued a post of himself training with Aussie Olympic boxer, Harry Garside.
On Sunday, he gave followers another insight into some of the work he's been doing away from the footy field, showing himself and several others doing reformer pilates.
Reformer pilates offers a multitude of health benefits, with many professional athletes using the sport to help them increase their core strength and improve their flexibility.
Ugle-Hagan also published several other images of himself in the gym and at the Legends Gym in Sydney.
Meanwhile, Luke Beveridge has issued a defiant statement to any clubs looking to poach the Bulldogs' leading goalscorer for 2024.
The senior coach recognised some of the efforts that Ugle-Hagan was putting in away from the Whitten Oval as a 'great sign' for the team, before extinguishing speculation that the club were going to allow the 23-year-old to leave.
'You take any speculation regards to any player with a grain of salt, the way we approach it - he's our player,' he said during a press conference last week.
'We will do our best to work out what's right from him and look after him. I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year.
'I think we need to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future.
'I'm taking that as a positive, hopefully he is. As I said, with the new challenges to going away and focusing on his own mental wellbeing in his life journey.
'Hopefully, he's got some things in a bit more an order and that can propel him into his footy at some point - when that is, who knows, that might be a fair way away.'
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