Suns will seek info from AFL as they explore Ugle-Hagan trade

6 days ago 3

Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is meeting with Gold Coast, but it is a meeting with the AFL and others that will determine whether the Suns pursue the former No.1 draft pick.

Ugle-Hagan was meeting with the Suns’ coaches and football bosses and also player leaders, who will be crucial in any decision to recruit him.

He missed the entire AFL season this year through injury, fitness and personal issues, and a source with knowledge of the situation said the Suns would ask the AFL for full disclosure on any, and all, issues connected to Ugle-Hagan that might affect his ability to play next year.

Those close to Ugle-Hagan say getting out of Victoria would be good for the talented, dynamic tall forward. He spent time at a health retreat in Queensland in the middle of this year.

Should the Suns pursue Ugle-Hagan – at this stage, they appear his only suitor – they would seek to strike their own new contract with the player and leave his management to settle the outstanding terms with the Western Bulldogs.

That is, the Suns would offer their own contract and the Bulldogs either reach a settlement with Ugle-Hagan for the remainder of his contract with them, or the Dogs pay the balance between any Suns offer and the residual amount on his contract.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan trained sparingly with the Western Bulldogs this year.

Ugle-Hagan did not play football at any level in 2025 as he dealt with a range of issues from his fitness and health to personal and family matters. His training during the year was sporadic.

After missing the finals in 2025, the Western Bulldogs will reconvene on Wednesday night for the best and fairest vote count – the Charles Sutton Medal.

Last month Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he was hopeful Ugle-Hagan would return to playing AFL in 2026 but did not commit to that being at his club, where the talented forward remains contracted for one more season on about $800,000.

“We haven’t seen him for a couple of weeks. He’s been home dealing with some stuff on the mission,” Beveridge said.

“It seems like he’s healthy enough, and he’s still training on. I’m just hoping for him that the end of it all is there’s an opportunity for him to play AFL footy next year.”

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