- AFL star has joined Gold Coast Suns on a one-year deal
Loved-up footy star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has posted a gushing message to his girlfriend on Instagram, thanking her for guiding him to ‘the right path’ after enduring a very troubled year away from the field.
It comes as the full forward looks to rebuild his AFL career after being handed a lifeline by the Gold Coast Suns in October.
Ugle-Hagan, 23, sat out the entire 2025 season for the Western Bulldogs as he battled personal issues, which included suicidal thoughts.
The former No.1 AFL draft pick was initially linked to the Sydney Swans, before the Suns swooped on deadline day, offering a one-year deal.
And according to SEN, Ugle-Hagan – who made his senior debut in 2021 – has impressed in pre-season on the Glitter Strip.
‘To his credit he’s showed up and earned the respect of everyone so far,’ Suns assistant coach Shaun Grigg told SEN Breakfast.
Footy star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has posted a gushing message to his girlfriend Liv Kelly (pictured together) on Instagram, thanking her for guiding him to ‘the right path’
It comes as the full forward looks to rebuild his career after being handed a lifeline by the Gold Coast Suns (pictured)
The couple previously dated for 18 months before initially calling it quits at the end of 2024
‘He’s put his head down and worked really hard. His football ability – he’s shown us at times what he can do.
‘For him, he’s got to keep building on his fitness, keep building on our game style, how we’d like to play and put his best foot forward in the coming weeks.’
Off the field, Ugle-Hagan reunited with his ex-girlfriend Liv Kelly in December – and on Wednesday, he publicly thanked her for guiding him to ‘the right path’.
‘HB (Happy birthday) to my girl. My love. My best friend,’ the accompanying post read on Instagram.
‘Very grateful for you and for the way you’ve guided me toward the right path. I’ve got you forever.’
Kelly thanked her man in an Instagram post of her own, writing, ‘To the man who made today and everyday special,’ with a yellow love-heart emoji.
The couple previously dated for a year and a half before initially calling it quits at the end of 2024.
Last year Ugle-Hagan revealed he visited a health retreat in northern NSW in a bid to get his life – and footy career – back on track.
Kelly thanked her man in an Instagram post of her own, saying he ‘made today and everyday special’
‘All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,’ he 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.
‘There were times when I would think about – to be honest with you – was it even worth living.
‘I went through a struggle where I didn’t want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found (the) basement.’
Gold Coast begin their 2026 campaign when they host last season’s grand finalists Geelong on March 6.
