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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BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Australia coach certain Morgan clearout was penalty
Australia coach Joe Schmidt says the decision not to penalise Jac Morgan for his clearout in the lead-up to the British and Irish Lions' match-winning try in the second Test goes against the sport's "push for player safety".Hugo Keenan's score in the final play of the game snatched a 29-26 victory for the tourists and secured a first Test series win for the Lions since Television Match Official checked Morgan's clearout on Carlo Tizzano at the final ruck before the try and agreed with Andrea Piardi's initial decision to award the try."I think everyone can make their own decision on that," Schmidt said."Players make errors, match officials make errors. Our perspective is we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they're talking about."You cannot hit someone above the level of their shoulders and there's no bind with the left arm, the hand's on the ground."That's what we've seen, we've watched a number of replays from different angles. It is what it is, we just have to accept it."Schmidt said you have to "read law 9.20" to understand why it should have been a 9.20 states: "A player must not charge into a ruck or maul without binding onto another player."It also states that "making contact above the line of the shoulders with an opponent is a dangerous play and is prohibited". A textbook and brilliant clearout - Russell Fly-half Finn Russell said Morgan, who came on as a replacement for Tom Curry early in the second half, produced a "textbook" added that he felt Tizzano's reaction was to try to get the score overturned."When he goes down holding his head, there's always going to be a question," Russell said."But I think when you saw it back, it just shows that it's a textbook clearout. I think it's a brilliant clearout from Jac."He's gone in there and Tizzano's over the ball, which is a good play from him. But I think Jac's just cleared him out really well. It's almost the aggression that he cleared him out with."That's what the question mark was almost. It shouldn't be a question mark. He obviously holds his head and tries to get a penalty from it."The fly-half's view is similar to the one held by Lions head coach Andy Farrell."It was a brilliant clearout. I couldn't understand what they were going back for," added Farrell."They seem to go back for absolutely everything these days, don't they? I'm so pleased that the referee held his nerve. The right decision in my opinion." Former Lions tourist Andy Nicol was also in agreement that Morgan, who is the only Wales player remaining on the trip and was making his Lions Test debut, did "nothing wrong".Nicol told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly: "He was always low. The 'jackaler' went in and put his head in a dangerous position and Jac cleared him out."I was watching in the stands and said if this is turned over, it's the end of rugby."That was a classic rugby incident. That's how Jac Morgan and every player is taught and coached to clear out a ruck. "Just because the player went flying back and highlighted where it was on the back of the neck, that's where real injuries happen so they are looking at it, but that was a perfect clearout."The Lions went into the game as favourites to seal the series after a comfortable first Test win in Brisbane, where they at one point led Wallabies finished well there to lose 27-19 and continued that form into the second game in side grabbed three first-half tries - two in quick succession with England's Tommy Freeman in the sin-bin - to lead 23-5.A decider in Sydney, as there was in 2013, looked to be on the cards until the Lions fought back from 18 points down to win the game with the final play and get in front for the first time in the the crushing defeat, the Wallabies - who for the first time in their history failed to qualify for the knockout stages of a Rugby World Cup in 2023 - showed they were a worthy match for Lions."It's painful, I'm so proud of the team and how we bounced back," Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said."We played some terrific footy and to not get the result and go to a series decider hurts everyone."
The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
No funeral: for the Wallabies and rugby in Australia this was a new beginning
The 40 or so Wallabies players, squad members and staff were called by Joe Schmidt to form a circle, having just seen their hopes against the British & Irish Lions evaporate into the Melbourne night. Those who had not taken the field on this remarkable evening were dressed in suits of a sponsor: a dark jacket, dark tie and black pants. Those in gold wore an even darker mood. The decision by the television match official to allow high contact by Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano in the lead-up to the Lions' match-winning try has been widely criticised by fans, broadcasters and even coach Schmidt. It was a moment of injustice – perceived or actual – that concluded the 29-26 defeat and sank the mood of more than half of those that filled one of the world's great sporting arenas on Saturday. As fans began to leave, in the middle of the MCG stood the sombre Wallabies, whose gaze met Schmidt's. 'They were broken at the end of it,' the coach recounted. 'You've got to keep resolve and you've got to keep going forward, and we can't, and we won't, wallow in self-pity.' It was a scene of mourning, but in truth this was no funeral. For the Wallabies and rugby in Australia more broadly, Saturday night was a new beginning. This has been a team lacking in confidence thanks to years of underperformance. So when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii glided through the Lions' line midway through the first half, putting Tom Wright over for the home side's third try in nine minutes, belief burst forth. The underwhelming Wallabies have been easy to ignore in the country's shop of unending athletic delights in recent years. But in front of a record crowd of 90,307, with a million or more glued to their screens, and with a fearless young group taking it to the team many consider the world's best, the Wallabies again resembled the side once proudly Australia's favourite. 'As a leader of the team, it was just so good to see the boys just playing freely,' Allan Alaalatoa said. The Wallabies matched their opponents in a ferocious opening half, consigning to the past that frightening first 42 minutes in Brisbane. Rob Valetini and Will Skelton delivered what they promised, and from the earliest exchanges. By the 13th minute, the referee Andrea Piardi had to tell Skelton to cool it, after a late shot saw him nose-to-nose with Lions captain Maro Itoje. 'A little bit late,' the Italian referee said on a broadcast microphone, his delicate fingers pinching the night in front of the nose of the giant Australian. 'It's a big stadium,' Skelton muttered in response. This was a night of indelible moments. The Victorian winger Harry Potter playing in front of his friends and family, but screaming in agony with what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury when he was forced off in the first half. Full-back Wright, recognising his anguish, appeared to plant a kiss on Potter's forehead as he limped off. The Wallabies' bravery was evident in the forwards' courage and the backs' appetite for risk. Wright was daring with his running, at one point dancing past two onrushing Lions to put Tate McDermott into space on the short side, then on the next phase finding a 50:22. The full-back still looked for advantage into the last 15 minutes with the Wallabies holding on, when he ran onto a looping Tom Lynagh pass in the backfield and sent Max Jorgensen scurrying up the touchline. Wilson captained in the same manner, neglecting an easy three points from a penalty kick in the first half and instead choosing an attacking lineout. The reward was a try for the veteran prop James Slipper, burrowing over like a wombat with the great Australian dream. Scrum-half Jake Gordon's 80-minute shift was marked by neat service and reliable box kicking. A week after being outplayed by McDermott – surprisingly effective as the substitute wing – Gordon's night was highlighted by his first half try. He sensed the Lions' forwards wilting and urged his forwards on, flapping his arms in a fervour, and one phase later the No 9 slipped around the ruck to cross. The Wallabies were far from perfect. Errors allowed the Lions back into the game before half-time, and injuries to Potter, Valetini and Alaalatoa forced Schmidt to turn to his bench earlier than he otherwise would have. Schmidt admitted they would 'lament' missed opportunities in reviews this week, and much will be made of the dying moments, and of the interpretation of the rules by Piardi. Though this Wallabies' performance might have ended in painful defeat, the coach said the second Test defeat still represented progress. 'It's never linear, it always tends to ebb and flow,' Schmidt said. 'We are trying to build consistency, we're trying to play a brand of rugby that entertains people and at the same time a brand of rugby that we enjoy playing.' And what did Schmidt say to the circle? 'I just said that I was proud of them.'
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Seething Wallabies legend fumes at controversial call and lashes out at 'weak' officials - as British media accuse Australia star of 'DIVING'
Wallabies legend Morgan Turinui has demanded World Rugby provide an explanation for the contentious refereeing decision that saw the British and Irish Lions claim a series victory against Australia on Saturday night in Melbourne. The Wallabies swept the Lions away in the first-half, at one point taking a 23-5 lead, thanks to tries from James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright. But Andy Farrell's side muscled their way back into the contest. Tries from Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones and Tadhg Beirne saw the visitors move to within just two points of Australia with 20 minutes left on the clock. Hugo Keenan would drive over from 10 metres out in the dying embers of the game, sealing the victory for the Lions. However there was controversy, as referee Andrea Piardi, sent the vision of the try upstairs to be checked but officials found no issue with a contentious moment in the phase of play prior to the try. Jac Morgan of Wales had cleared before Keenan touched down for a try. He had followed James Ryan into the breakdown and removed Carlo Tizzano from the contact area. The Aussie had fallen away from the scramble of bodies, clutching his head, after Morgan had appeared to get his shoulder under Tizzano's neck. HUGO KEENAN WINS IT FOR THE LIONS! 🦁 — Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 26, 2025 A former Wallabies legend has been left fuming for Jac Morgan's (right) clearout on Carlo Tizzano (left) in the dying embers of the Lions against the Wallabies at the MCG on Saturday The ball was subsequently recycled and sent out to Keenan on the left side of the pitch but the Wallabies players were incecensed about both the force and manner in which the Welsh flanker had cleared out the Western Force flanker. 'That decision is 100% completely wrong. The referee got it wrong,' Turinui said after the game. 'His two assistant referees got it wrong.' Turinui, who won 20 caps for the Wallabies, then explained that the referee needed to be brought before World Rugby's Match Official Manager, Joel Jutge, to explain why the contentious decision was allowed to stand. 'Joel Jutge, the head of the referees, is out here on a junket. He needs to haul those referees in and ask for a please explain. 'Dan Herbert, the chair of Australian rugby and if I'm Phil Waugh the CEO, I'm sorry I'm asking for a please explain. 'He did have a good game, but the refereeing group, when it counted, got the match-defining decision completely wrong. 'It's a point of law. It's in black and white. It's not about bias. It's not about colouring. 'There's nothing there. Get away from the fact it's a wrong call. It's a penalty sanction. It's not a yellow card. It happens. 'The try must be disallowed and we should be going one-all to Sydney.' He wasn't the only person left seething by the decision, with Joe Schmidt lamenting the late TMO call. 'Everyone can make their own decision on that, you just have to read law 9.20, and I guess you just have to listen to the description from the referee, and then watch the vision,' Schmidt said. He added: 'Our perspective is, we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they're talking about. You cannot hit someone above the level of the shoulders, and there's no binding with the left arm, the hands on the ground. 'So that's what we've seen, and we've watched a number of replays from different angles, and so it is what it is. We just have to accept it.' Andy Farrell, as expected, saw nothing wrong with the incident. 'I spoke to Joe Schmidt and he felt it was a penalty, but I just saw it as a clearout,' the Lions coach explained. 'I don't know where Jac Morgan was supposed to go - it looked like a rugby incident to me. I think it was the right decision in the end.' Wallabies captain Harry Wilson then explained that the decision left his team-mate, Tizzano, with a 'sore' neck. 'Obviously I saw a shoulder to the neck, Carlo was pretty sore after it,' he added. Schmidt, though, fumed that the Wallabies should have got a decision at the end of the match, adding that he was left 'gutted' following the refereeing call. 'I couldn't quite believe that we didn't get a decision at the end,' he said. 'But, you know, that's the wicked backlash that sport can have sometimes. 'I think it was described as arriving at the same time. And we can all see that's not the case. And we can all see clear contact with the back of the neck. 'You know, might be a different decision on another day and another time. 'I've been gutted a few times in my coaching career, but that is right up there. 'I felt we earned more than what we got.' Sports columnists in the UK including The Telegraph's Oliver Brown, accused Tizzano of 'diving' during the match, while also telling Australia to 'stop moaning'. Others on social media questioned the acts of the Wallabies players, with one writing: 'Tizzano with a dive straight out of a Brazilian football league. Get in!' Another wrote: 'Tizzano should be facing a ban for that. 'Shameful behaviour, diving and rolling around like a toddler.' 'Tizzano went full Hollywood,' wrote another. But others online were less sympathetic to Jac Morgan, with one writing: 'So blatantly a contact straight to the head. They didn't arrive at the same time... Tizzano had hands on the ball.'
