Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, the promising forward for the Western Bulldogs, is taking positive strides toward returning to the AFL. The 22-year-old has expressed, "I feel like I’m fit, I’m healthy. Obviously I feel like I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. But I don’t know what’s happening." His statements come after he took personal leave from the Bulldogs, during which he has been involved with the Indigenous All-Stars.
Engaged with his Indigenous teammates, Ugle-Hagan made the trek to Perth, where he participated in training sessions at the All-Stars camp, which included notable players like Charlie Cameron, Bobby Hill, and Bradley Hill. "Right now I’m just enjoying my footy and training hard," Ugle-Hagan shared, indicating he practices independently to maintain his fitness. He had not participated in team training since Christmas, opting to stay home when the Bulldogs headed to Noosa for their preseason training camp.
Ugle-Hagan has candidly addressed the personal challenges he has faced, including family loss. He shared with 7NEWS Melbourne, “Definitely had my ups and downs with family loss, and then I struggled with the balance of training.” Such challenges highlight the pressures athletes often face off the field, emphasizing the importance of mental health alongside physical fitness.
The Bulldogs' captain, Marcus Bontempelli, weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the team's commitment to supporting Ugle-Hagan during this period of adjustment. He disclosed, "We try and support him in the best way we can, with football being the second-most important thing, his health and wellbeing being the priority." This highlights the organization’s philosophy on player welfare, placing significant value on mental health.
Bontempelli reiterated the team's approach: “I don’t want him to feel the pressure at all from the football club or from my position (as captain), which can naturally just happen sometimes.” His statements serve to remind both fans and teammates alike of the club’s supportive culture, especially during times of personal challenge.
Looking forward, the Bulldogs have their preseason campaign starting with their opening match against Essendon at Whitten Oval. Despite not being able to join the Bulldogs for their season opener against North Melbourne on March 15, Jamarra remains excited about returning to the training field. "I’ve just stayed home, trained on my own and just trying to keep busy with my training and get on top of myself," he said.
Ugle-Hagan hopes to resume training with the Bulldogs as early as next week, signifying potential progress toward joining the team for the remainder of the season. The optimism surrounding his return is palpable, particularly as he channels his enthusiasm for the game and the opportunities it presents. He stated, "We’ll just see what happens and hopefully I’m back training (at the Bulldogs) on Monday."
His commitment to training—both independently and alongside the Indigenous All-Stars—reflects not only his passion for footy but also his willingness to confront personal adversity. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s evolution during this period speaks volumes about resilience within the sporting community, and many eagerly await his much-anticipated return to the Bulldogs' lineup.