Mystery surrounds top footy star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s concerning disappearing act during the AFL preseason
- The young Western Bulldogs star’s football future is in doubt
- Jamarra Ugle-Hagan hasn’t trained much with the team
Western Bulldogs youngster Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is increasingly unsure about playing Round 1 footy as he continues to miss pre-season training due to issues in his personal life.
The 22-year-old has been seen sporadically at Whitten Oval since pre-season started in November.
“Ugle-Hagan’s complicated situation is not new territory for the Dogs, with the club enduring a number of challenges last year during an otherwise productive season for the rising 22-year-old,” football reporter Sam Edmund told SEN Breakfast on Tuesday.
‘But those challenges are proving increasingly difficult to understand for some parts of the team.
‘There should be concern, if there are concerns about his immediate playing future, if he rarely trains, if it is not certain that he will go to a pre-season camp.’
Former footballer Kane Cornes replied: ‘If it’s a team sport you want to feel like everyone is working together.
Western Bulldogs youngster Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was absent from training – and the club are yet to explain why

The 22-year-old’s immediate future with the Dogs is under a cloud
“If you’re alluding to the fact that his teammates are now starting to have some frustration or questions, then that’s a problem.
‘You can’t hide. “If he hasn’t done a lot of work… then this is going to be a real problem for his body.”
However, News Corp reports that ‘key figures within the club had previous concerns about his off-field lifestyle’.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs released the following statement about the star: ‘The Western Bulldogs can confirm that forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is currently on flexible training arrangements as he deals with personal issues.
“With the approval of the football program, Jamarra has alternated his training between Mission Whitten Oval and away from the club. The Club continues to provide Jamarra with its full support and remains in constant contact with him, his family and his management.
‘As Jamarra’s health and well-being is of the utmost importance, the Club requests that his privacy is respected during this time.’
The young player’s availability for the Indigenous All Stars match on February 15 against Fremantle is also under a cloud.
Ugle-Hagan had a good season last year, scoring a career-high 43 goals.
The Dogs kick off their season when they take on North Melbourne on March 15.