Doubt surrounds Ugle-Hagan's availability despite attending boxing match following personal absence

22/04/2024 06:45

Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan attended a boxing match in St Kilda just days after being left out of the Bulldogs' Round 6 side with personal reasons, reports Nine's Tom Morris.

According to Morris, Ugle-Hagan had a couple of drinks at the event while attending with friends.

While the club reportedly has no issues with his conduct after Ugle-Hagan missed the clash against St Kilda to return home to Framlingham – in regional south-west Victoria – for family reasons, Kane Cornes didn't think his choice to attend the event was a good look.

Morris discussed Ugle-Hagan's absence and boxing match attendance with Cornes on SEN Breakfast.

Morris: "I think he's likely to play (in Round 7), but the Dogs haven't confirmed that yet.

"But Jamarra was at the boxing on Saturday night at St Kilda Town Hall, having a drink or two.

"The club has no issue with this. He's not injured. He's not on a six-day break.

"But he's clearly had some personal matters he needed to deal with last week and given that he's back in Melbourne now and hanging out with friends and people close to him, you'd be surprised if he doesn't play in Round 7."

Cornes: "It's a strange look, isn't it? To go to the boxing and have a couple if you didn't play on the Thursday night."

Morris: "Yeah (it is), but he's allowed to live his life as well."

Cornes: "Well, he is, but I think there's a time and a place to be able to live your life, particularly if you're not available for selection then a couple of days later you're doing that.

"In an ideal world, I think you're not at a boxing event having a couple after not playing.

"That would be my view."

SEN's Sam Edmund also revealed that Ugle-Hagan missed the club's training session on Monday, which could leave him unlikely to play in Round 7 against Fremantle in Perth.

"Jamarra Ugle-Hagan missed obviously the Western Bulldogs' game in Round 6 for personal reasons," Edmund said on SEN Afternoons.

"He also missed training again today. So this return to the senior side for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is looking unlikely at this stage.

"He missed Round 6 for personal reasons, as I say, returning home to be with family.

"Now he did turn some heads at St Kilda Town Hall on Saturday night with some others for a boxing event.

"However, he was absent from the Whitten Oval again today.

"Now club officials to my understanding, don't have an issue with Ugle-Hagan attending the boxing as he works through personal issues, but he would need to train fully in the Western Bulldogs' main session that's on Wednesday to be considered any chance to face Fremantle in Perth on Saturday night."

Saturday's clash between the Dogs and Dockers is set for 7:30 pm (AEST) at Optus Stadium.