AFL 2025: Western Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan remains ‘a long way off' from footy at any level
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.'
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
19 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Carlton's dramatic collapse embodied in Jay Clark's Top 50 AFL players of 2025
The fall of the Blues is well and truly complete. A highly-touted premiership fancy just a year ago, Carlton's biggest stars have fallen off the proverbial cliff. Now, Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow and Jacob Weitering are on the outside looking in at Jay Clark's mid-year Top 50 players in the AFL. Cripps, the Blues' skipper, finished No. 1 in Mark Robinson's Top 50 to close 2024, but is emblematic of his side's dramatic drop-off in 2025, languishing outside the top eight with a record of 6-9 after 16 rounds. Star defender and 2024 All-Australian Jacob Weitering was torched by Port star Mitch Georgiades on Thursday night, after choosing to bravely play despite suffering what appeared to be a serious ankle injury against the Kangaroos the week prior. Curnow's output, despite once again being Carlton's leading goalkicker has come under fire in recent weeks, with Fox Footy's Garry Lyon questioning his desire. 'Charlie Curnow for me has been one of the great frustrations this year,' Lyon recently said on AFL 360. 'When you get to times like this, you go to the leaders, and Patrick (Cripps) leads — so Patrick leads and then the next rung down is Charlie. 'He plays like a third or fourth half-forward flanker … this is your main man. This is the man who should stand up and say we're going down here, but I will get to every contest, I will work myself into the ground. 'There's seven games this year where he hasn't laid a tackle, he's got to be better than this. He doesn't get to enough contests. He doesn't want to be the man.'
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
'That's unsafe for players': Freo coach holds SCG fears
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has expressed concerns about the state of the SCG turf, saying he is worried his players will be put at an elevated risk of injury if they are forced to play there on Sunday. AFL bosses are weighing up the option of moving Sunday's Fremantle-Sydney game away from the SCG after players continually slipped at the venue in the Western Bulldogs' win over the Swans on Friday night. The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April. Particular concern during the Swans-Dogs clash centred on the Paddington end of the ground. Between 35mm to 90mm of rain is forecast for Sydney on Tuesday in what will further hamper the hopes of having the SCG turf up to scratch. Fremantle's finals hopes last year were torpedoed by a series of injuries to key players late in the season, and Longmuir fears his team will be at risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday. "I watched the game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to, 'That's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said. "And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left hand side." Longmuir made mention of an incident in which Bulldog Bailey Williams' foot was caught in the turf."I think the Bailey Williams one - we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said. Longmuir says he will abide by the AFL's decision."If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," Longmuir said. "The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them. "But I thought it was unsafe the other night." Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run. But their thrilling 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) win over St Kilda on Sunday came with an injury cost, and in a bizarre manner. Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe was the sub, but he felt tightness in his calf while warming up at half-time and the Dockers decided against sending him on. Fyfe was set to feature in his fourth match back after recovering from a hamstring injury, and the Dockers will be hoping his latest setback isn't serious. "It's a bit of a concern, of course," Longmuir said. "But we'll see how he pulls up, get it scanned if we need to, and see where it takes us. "But from what I understand, it's pretty minor and we didn't have to bring him on."
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Mines Rovers players brave icy plunge to raise funds for MND
Winter weather failed to deter Mines Rovers Football Club members from braving icy waters in the fight against motor neurone disease. Almost a dozen Diorites took on the Big Freeze ice dunk at Digger Daws Oval on Saturday to help raise awareness and vital research funds for FightMND — co-founded by AFL great Neale Daniher. Now in its 11th year, the annual fundraiser is a symbol of hope in the fight against MND. Mines Rovers treasurer Nicole Stevens, who co-ordinated the event, said the club had surpassed its $5000 target and raised almost $7000 as of Saturday afternoon. She said MND was an important cause to get behind. 'We've been watching the AFL do the Big Freeze for a long time now . . . so we thought we'll get involved as well,' Ms Stevens said. 'Neale Daniher is a legend in the AFL, and we all grew up watching him. 'The more people you speak to about MND, the more you find out that it is affecting family members or friends.' Some participants donned wacky outfits while taking the plunge. Sam Burge wore a Mr Incredible suit, Ben Stubbs dressed as singer Pitbull, while Brad Dick completed the plunge with a cricket bat. 'It was cold, but all for a good cause, so I'm happy to do it,' Mr Dick said. 'Our skipper, Jordan Delbridge, won the B-grade grand final for North Kalgoorlie (Cricket Club) so I just thought I'd go and honour him.' Ben Stubbs thanked the football community for supporting the cause. 'The whole community has got behind this great event, just look at the turnout today,' he said. 'It's my first time freezing myself in public, but it was heaps of fun.' A Junior Big Freeze took place on Sunday when Mines Rovers' youngsters were joined by their counterparts from Kalgoorlie City to brave the ice bath for a 'cold' coin donation.
