AFL 2025: Western Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan remains ‘a long way off'
The enthusiasm of recharged forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan won't force the hand of the Western Bulldogs to get him back on the field.
Ugle-Hagan returned to the club last week after a prolonged absence that included a 30-day stay at a wellness retreat as he addressed off-field issues.
In a podcast last weekend, the No.1 pick positively announced his desire to play footy again, even as early as this year.
'I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy,' he said.
'I want to kick a f--king goal in front of those crowds. I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them.
'I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games – it's going to be grouse.'
Luke Beveridge (left) has declared Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (right) 'a long way off'. Picture:Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge on Wednesday said he hadn't listened to Ugle-Hagan's candid interview.
But given his chance to address Ugle-Hagan's enthusiasm, Beveridge firmly declared the forward was 'a long way off' playing even at VFL level.
'He's a long way off ready to play, so that's all I'll say,' he said.
'I think with Jamarra – if he's going to be a weekly question – you'll just be wasting your time because he won't play at state-league level or at AFL level for a while.
'No use keep asking; you're probably going to take your own angles on it and that's up to you, but this one is about Sydney versus Western Bulldogs.'
The Bulldogs, who travel to Sydney this weekend, have eight matches left in the home-and-away season.
Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted through to the end of 2026, also expressed his desire to remain at the Bulldogs next season despite trade rumours.
Originally published as AFL 2025: Western Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan remains 'a long way off' from footy at any level
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