Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has returned to training but is unlikely to play in Saturday’s match against Fremantle, with coach Luke Beveridge emphasizing that Ugle-Hagan’s well-being is the priority as he deals with personal issues exacerbated by recent family losses.
Beveridge indicated that while Ugle-Hagan participated in a full training session at Whitten Oval, his focus is on providing support rather than rushing him back to play. The 22-year-old forward may not travel to Perth for the match against the Dockers, although his involvement in a scratch match during Footscray’s VFL bye week has not been ruled out.
“It’s unlikely he’ll play this week, we just want to make sure he’s OK,” Beveridge said. “He’s processing a few things on a personal level, and us supporting him, so he might not play this week at all.”
The coach acknowledged that Ugle-Hagan’s return to training was a positive step but reiterated that his mental and emotional well-being takes precedence over football at this time.
“We’ll just look after him, and hopefully he can play some footy again soon, but that’s not the priority at the moment,” Beveridge added.
In other team news, Beveridge confirmed that midfielder Tom Liberatore would return against Fremantle if he completed training this week. Liberatore had missed the previous match due to concerns over a possible concussion after collapsing following a collision in round 5 against Essendon.
Regarding team selection, Beveridge hinted at the difficulty of finding a spot for Caleb Daniel in the backline against Fremantle, given Taylor Duryea’s strong start to the season and Lachie Bramble’s impressive performance against St Kilda. Beveridge also mentioned that young player Ryley Sanders’ position in the team had come under pressure but emphasized his learning process and future importance to the Bulldogs.
As the Bulldogs prepare for their upcoming match, Beveridge’s focus remains on supporting Ugle-Hagan and ensuring the team is well-prepared to face Fremantle.
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