‘Distressed asset’: AFL power’s shock link to lost Dog but coach, great fear he’s ‘a long way off’

Geelong has emerged as a potential suitor for star Footscray forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, as the forward continues his stint of the sidelines navigating his personal life.

Watch your club in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Fox Footy reporter Jon Ralph told On The Couch on Monday night that the 22-year-old will likely be inquired about by Chris Scott’s side down the highway, as they look to poach a second Bulldog in as many years after the arrival of star Bailey Smith last trade period.

“The Cats are in the race for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan; one of many clubs that will come hard at him,” Ralph revealed.

“Clubs think he’s gettable, they think he’s a distressed asset … It does make sense from them (Geelong), only a couple hours down to Warrnambool. They certainly see him being out of the fishbowl.

“It just shows how Geelong aggressively plants the seed. They did it last year with Clayton Oliver, they nearly got him cross the line; they’re (also) interested in Matt Rowell now. I think Dogs list boss in Sam Power will say: ‘This player is contracted to 2026; unless we get a Chris Judd-style deal, we will absolutely hold firm.”

Four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis added: “It seems like a really complex situation. The first in the direction to coming back to playing … is for the player to take responsibility that who they hang around, what they do, the unprofessional way that they live their life — I think Jamarra ticks a lot of those boxes.

“Geelong has a good history of getting these players back on the straight and narrow, but I think Jamarra is a long way off doing the stuff that need to be done to be a professional athlete.

“It’s difficult … but I would love for him to stay at the Dogs, and repay the faith (to) show the Dogs supporters how good he can be.”

The number one pick from the 2020 National Draft is currently on a modified training program at Whitten Oval, with coach Luke Beveridge telling AFL 360 that he “can’t answer definitively” as to whether or not he Ugle-Hagan will play for his side this season.

Only on Sunday night did First Crack host Jay Clark warn the Bulldogs of succumbing to a second player leaving ‘The Kennel’, after Bailey Smith moved down the highway in October last year.

“The Western Bulldogs, having been burnt last year on the Bailey Smith trade, don’t want to give him for unders,” Clark said.

“Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was a Pick 1 and who knows how many games he’s going to play this year, there’s so much water to go under the bridge.

“But I suspect the Western Bulldogs will play as hard ball as you possibly can despite all the personal issues.

“The Bulldogs have put in a lot of work, and all the mail suggests they want to keep him at this football club,” Clark added.

“And he is contracted (which is) different to Bailey Smith, who was uncontracted and they were a bit corned.

“If he is to go, as probably 90 per cent of the clubs believe at this point, they want some value. It will be hard ball with Sam Power this time.”