Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has taken a positive step in his return to playing professional football, with the Western Bulldogs star reportedly admitting himself to a health retreat.
In April, it was announced that the 23-year-old forward would be taking an indefinite leave from the club to address personal issues.
He has not played this season and has been seen sporadically at training, with there being no confirmed time-frame on when the 2020 No 1 draft pick could return to the club.
But in the latest update to the ongoing saga, Ugle-Hagan has travelled north to check himself into a health retreat, according to The Herald Sun.
There is hope that the move can help him reignite his AFL career, with Ugle-Hagan also keen to get things back on track, following his stunning 2024 season, in which he booted 43 goals to be crowned the Bulldogs’ leading goalkicker for the campaign.
The outlet has also revealed that some of his team-mates are happy that the 23-year-old, who was recently seen watching the RUNIT Championships in Melbourne, has travelled away from Victoria to participate in the retreat.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (pictured) has taken a positive step in his return to playing pro footy
The Western Bulldogs forward (left) has reportedly travelled north of Victoria and has checked into an interstate health retreat
Ugle-Hagan is currently taking a leave of absence from the Bulldogs to deal with personal matters and prioritise his health
‘The Dogs and league officials are adamant Ugle-Hagan needs to prioritise his health before he can return to the club,’ the outlet adds.
It is not certain when Ugle-Hagan will return to Melbourne.
Ugle-Hagan has faced backlash in recent months over his activity on social media.
Some former pros had criticised his behaviour, including Nick Riewoldt, who had pointed to pictures of Ugle-Hagan posted on social media showing him partying out with friends, before claiming the Bulldogs should move on without him.
‘There can be real reasons, legitimate reasons, but when you’re behaving the way that Jamarra is you forfeit all rights,’ Riewoldt said to Triple M’s Mick in the Morning, adding the ‘balance of power has moved too far in the player’s favour.’
He added: ‘It is difficult to talk about because there is mental health at play here, but clubs should have some sort of discretion to be able to recoup some of that money.
‘It feels like players can essentially take the p**s.’
He went on to express more sympathy to Ugle-Hagan’s club over the matter, but the footy star clapped back at the St Kilda great.
Ugle-Hagan (right) shared this image out with friends in the latest bad look for the Western Bulldogs star who has yet to play for the club this year
St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said that the Bulldogs should cut ties with Ugle-Hagan at the end of the year
No timeframe has been set on Ugle-Hagan’s return (right, pictured with Tim Tszyu) but there is hope among those close to the situation that this is a positive step in his return to action
Ugle-Hagan changed his Instagram profile picture to an image of Riewoldt from when the Channel 7 pundit was embroiled in a nude photo scandal back in 2010.
But after confirming the 23-year-old star could take an indefinite break from footy, the club issued their full support to Ugle-Hagan.
‘Jamarra’s health and wellbeing remains the absolute priority, and he will be given whatever time he needs,’ Sam Power said during a club statement at the end of April.
‘We will continue to support Jamarra throughout this period.’
It had been expected that the Bulldogs could look to trade the footy star later this year but that would only take place should they receive a reasonable offer of renumeration.
At the beginning of May, super agent Paul Connors had also delivered an insight into how Ugle-Hagan was progressing on his return to play.
‘I think there’s been so much commentary around Jamarra that unless you’re in the inner sanctum, you won’t be privy to everything that we’re privy to,’ Connors told SEN 1116.
‘I’d like to say that we’re really proud of where Jamarra’s heading. As a company and as individuals, we’ve really supported and so have many people.
‘I believe he’s heading in the right direction but hopefully he’ll be back on track, not in the very near future, but soon.’
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