- Riewoldt says balance of power has moved too far in the player’s favour
- Controversial young star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan hasn’t played this season
Saints legend Nick Riewoldt has taken aim at players for allegedly exploiting a mental health loophole, following reports that Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s attitude will cost him his contract with the club.
The former No.1 draft pick has not played a game this season, and there is no immediate indication on when or if he will return to the club.
Ugle-Hagan has not been a regular face at Whitten Oval, with Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge saying the 23-year-old’s playing future was in the hands of the AFL.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs sent out a statement confirming Ugle-Hagan is taking a leave of absence from the club as he deals with ongoing personal issues, with one particular episode believed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Appearing on Triple M’s Mick in the Morning with comedian Mick Molloy, Riewoldt said that the ‘balance of power has moved too far in the player’s favour,’ especially when it concerns mental health sensitivities.
‘The frustration for the Bulldogs was that he was showing up for training for a week, and then not show up,’ Riewoldt said.
Nick Riewoldt says some players can ‘take the p**s’ by using a mental health loophole
Controversial young star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has not played a game this season and his future with the Western Bulldogs is in doubt
‘They had no real line of sight on when he was going to come; it was basically just lucky dip. That’s distracting.
‘I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was when the group went to Adelaide for Gather Round – he had been training for a couple of weeks prior to that – there was a compulsory session for the players that didn’t go on the Saturday morning, he didn’t show up for it.
‘He is on full pay at the moment. He has been paid and will be continued to be paid somewhere between $800,000 – $900,000 for this year.’
Mick Molloy suggested that it must be a huge stress for the Bulldogs to manage the complicated situation.
‘I’m big on this; I think the balance of power has moved too far in the player’s favour and you end up with a situation like this,’ said Riewoldt.
‘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.
‘There are all types of rumours and innuendo out there as to whether he is tanking – and we don’t need to get into all the various [rumoured] situations – but it’s hard to see him playing footy again for the Dogs this year.’
Ugle-Hagan is taking a leave of absence as he deals with ongoing personal issues
It is expected that the Bulldogs will look to trade the 23-year-old later this year
In early 2024, Ugle-Hagan took time away from the sport to deal with family matters and he later signed a new contract which saw his pay-packet skyrocket.
Midway through the year he split from his influencer girlfriend Olivia Kelly, and not long after, his off-field conduct became a concern.
Teammates started to also worry about the young gun as he started turning up to some recovery sessions looking worse for wear.
Things came to a head before the AFL finals last year when rumours circulated about the star being out on the town.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge discussed dropping the young forward with his coaching panel in the days leading up to the elimination final against Hawthorn.
Once the season was over, the situation was inflamed by Ugle-Hagan documenting a full month of partying on social media.
Ugle-Hagan is reportedly a target for the Sydney Swans – but if he is to switch clubs looking for a fresh start, he will have to prove to the AFL he is mentally fit to resume his footy career.
