Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s troubled season has suffered another setback, with the 23-year-old alleging that his car has been stolen.
The wayward forward, who hasn’t played a game this season while dealing with personal issues, posted a story to social media on Monday, appearing to accuse an individual of stealing his vehicle from Bay St in Port Melbourne.
‘If you see this fella. Tell him drop my car back off at my house,’ he posted.
‘Bay Street tax is crazy,’ he added, next to laughing emojis.
The text was written over a CCTV image of a man wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a Guzman y Gomez advertising board in the background.
Ugle-Hagan later posted a photo of a black Toyota HiLux ute.
Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (pictured) has alleged that his car has been stolen
The footy star appeared to accuse a man (pictured) of stealing his vehicle from Bay Street in Port Melbourne
It’s understood the car went missing on Monday.
There’s no suggestion that the allegation against the man is true, just that it was made by Ugle-Hagan.
Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that they ‘couldn’t see any car theft incidents at this location’ with the details we provided to them, said they couldn’t find a record of the alleged theft being reported and asked for help getting the ‘victim’ to send them details.
Ugle-Hagan fronted the Dogs’ playing group last week in a move that could open the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year.
He also took part in a light training session but could still be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level.
The 2020 No.1 draft pick recently opened up about the dire problems that saw him visit a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track.
‘All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,’ Ugle-Hagan told Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson on the Rip Through It podcast.
‘It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn’t drive, I just didn’t trust myself driving.
Ugle-Hagan later posted a photo of a Toyota HiLux to his Instagram story as he appeared to indicate it’s the vehicle that has been stolen
Ugle-Hagan hasn’t been a regular at Bulldogs training since late last year as he seeks to overcome off-field issues
‘There were times when I would think about – to be honest with you – just not even worth even living.
‘I went through a struggle where I didn’t want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found basement.
‘Definitely (there were suicidal thoughts). Suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently.
‘Especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time. The way I was isolated and put out in public.’
The young footy star says the health retreat has changed his life.
‘It takes balls to talk in a group but once you do it, it is f**king amazing, it feels good and they have answers for you,’ he said.
‘You think you are alone and no one understands.
‘But when you speak up and hear people’s stories it makes you feel so much better hearing people’s stories and knowing they’re going through the same thing you are.’
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge last week raised the prospect of Ugle-Hagan resuming his 67-game AFL career with the club.
Ugle-Hagan says he can’t wait to get back on the field.
‘I want to play footy. I can’t wait to play footy,’ he said.
‘I want to kick a f**king goal in front of those crowds.
The young footy star says the health retreat he attended recently has changed his life
‘I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them.
‘I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games.
‘It’s going to be grouse.’
Ugle-Hagan led the Bulldogs with a career-best 43 goals in 22 appearances last year, but has not featured at any level since the elimination final defeat to Hawthorn.
