The Western Bulldogs are hopeful Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will rejoin senior teammates at training on Wednesday as skipper Marcus Bontempelli doesn’t “buy into” talk the absent star will leave the club at the end of 2025.
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Ugle-Hagan was back training with the Dogs’ VFL team on Monday night after joining his Indigenous All Stars teammates in Perth for Saturday night’s game against Fremantle.
It comes amid speculation around the 22-year old’s future including Kangaroos legend David King on SEN radio saying he believes Ugle-Hagan is a “100 to one” chance to remain at Whitten Oval in 2026.
Speaking at the Fox Footy launch event on Tuesday, Bontempelli said his main focus was around Ugle-Hagan’s “personal health and wellbeing” following the gun forward’s leave of absence.
“I don’t buy into it at all, to be honest,” Bontempelli said of talk Ugle-Hagan could leave the Dogs.
“There’s always going to be things said, especially around high-profile players who are extremely talented, that’s part of the parcel of the game.
“It doesn’t factor into my thinking at all right here right now. My focus is Jamarra and his personal health and wellbeing and the football stuff will come second that.
“It doesn’t change anything about how much we still want Jamarra back in the program with whatever capacity that can be.”
Ugle-Hagan, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 National Draft, is not expected to be available in the early rounds of the season given he’s hardly trained with teammates since Christmas.
A return to training on Wednesday would be the first steps in Ugle-Hagan’s reintegration to the AFL program and eventual return to the field.
“(Returning to the AFL program) would be the natural next step, but it’s probably still too soon for, especially me, to call,” Bontempelli added.
“It’s just good to see him at training. He had a nice weekend away for the All Stars game and the build up to that,” he said.
“We were (at Whitten Oval) last night, we had our Fox Footy shoot and it was good to see him out there, running around having a kick and enjoying himself. But no timeline or expectation from my perspective.“
Ugle-Hagan has booted 103 goals from four AFL seasons – including a personal best 43 majors last year. He signed a contract extension with the Dogs last year to tie him to the club until at least 2026.
The 67-gamer’s absence has been one of several setbacks for the Dogs this pre-season, with the club confirming Cody Weightman (knee surgery) will join Adam Treloar (calf) and Liam Jones (hamstring) on the sidelines to start 2025.
Bontempelli described Weightman’s injury blow as ”disappointing” despite it creating “opportunity for a few other guys” as the club battles a significant toll of casualties.
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“It’s not ideal, everyone understands that. But whether it’s now or in two month’s time, you hope you can avoid (injuries), but it is just how footy plays out,” the Dogs skipper added.
“I’m always trying to look at things through an optimistic lens. Those players won’t be out there, but it’s going to create opportunities for others and test our resilience early on in the piece, which will only be a good thing for us.
“Different challenges can prepare you for the other ones you know will come.”
Bontempelli was also impressed with SSP hopefuls Brayden Crossley and Dom Brew as they battle for the club’s final list spot ahead of Friday’s deadline.
“It’s not my call, but based on his character and energy he’s brought, he’s a ripper,” Bontempelli said of Crossley, who’s hoping to return to AFL following a five-game stint at Gold Coast and help aid the Dogs’ thin key position stocks.
“Clearly from a positional perspective, the fact he’s there makes good sense but him and (Dom) Brewy are outstanding people.
“We’d be happy with the character of both of them but it comes down to the balance of the team and what is needed and I think Sam (Power) will make a call on that.”
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