“Not correct”: Morris questions Beveridge’s AFL comments on Jamarra

The Jamarra Ugle-Hagan situation is not in the hands of the AFL, according to Tom Morris.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said on Thursday that the decision-making in regards to Ugle-Hagan’s future “is significantly in the AFL’s hands”.

But Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Morris says that is not the case.

“He went off script there, he’s not correct,” Morris said on SEN’s Fireball.

“Nothing’s changed from that perspective. The AFL is working in a collaborative manner with the club and also his management. It’s not an AFL call.

“The reason why the AFL gets brought in on these decisions via the head of mental health and wellbeing in Dr Kate Hall is because they have a greater reach on complex situations.

“They have more access to professionals which clubs don’t, and that is what’s happened here.

“But the AFL is not running this, it’s very much a collaborative and collective process between the club, his management and the league.

“It certainly raised some eyebrows, what Bevo said, and that’s not just within those circles but everyone else who knows what’s going on understands that the club and the AFL are working closely together.

“The AFL is not leading this one.”

Morris says it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Ugle-Hagan, with all of his off-field shenanigans, will remain at The Kennel beyond 2025.

“What’s become really apparent now is there is so much frustration from people around him who are trying desperately to help him,” he added.

“I think it’s highly unlikely he plays this year, big question mark on whether he ever plays for the Dogs again and a huge question mark as to where he plays next year, or if he does play next year.

“There are clubs out there looking at him going, ‘I’m not actually sure he’s as attractive a proposition as he was month or six weeks ago'.

“Everyone around him including the AFL medical team, the Bulldogs, his management is trying their best but he’s got to help himself. It’s a really awkward situation.”

Morris was asked what the talented forward might be worth on the transfer market.

“He’s a late, or a fourth-round pick. I don’t think he’s worth anything more than that,” he replied.

Kane Cornes added: “I think a club will (take a risk). I think you’ll get slightly higher than that.”

The 23-year-old has not played for the Bulldogs in 2025 because of personal issues and it appears unlikely he’ll be returning anytime soon.

There has been plenty of commentary surrounding Ugle-Hagan’s situation with some key footy identities suggesting he perhaps should be stood down.

According to Beveridge, it won’t be the Dogs making a call on the former No.1 draft pick, it will be the AFL.

“At the moment the decision-making in regards to ‘Marra’s future and what that entails is significantly in the AFL’s hands,” Beveridge said.

“We’re waiting on them to do certain things and we’re continually interacting with them and working through it to work out what’s best for ‘Marra.

“My focus is absolutely, totally on the group that’s here

“Sometimes he’s here, sometimes he’s not. If he is and he isn’t, it’s not worth talking about. If he is and he joins in, we carry on.

“But because he’s not currently available for selection, it’s not at the forefront of my mind.

“It’s just making sure that the group who are playing are ready to go.”

More social media videos of Ugle-Hagan emerged over the weekend including “vulgar” language while he was out drinking with friends.

His antics were discussed on Channel 7’s the Agenda Setters, with St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt condemning his behaviour.

Craig Hutchison said: “Why are we here? Where does the line begin and end?”

Caroline Wilson said: “It’s a disaster, isn’t it Nick.”

Riewoldt said: “It’s a complete disaster.

“This is a beautiful segue out of the Mathew Stokes article, is there can be legitimate reasons, but when you’re behaving the way Jamarra is I think you forfeit all rights.

“The issue is there is no mechanism for clubs to be protected. And not just the clubs but the players. Your teammates who are actually fronting up day after day and doing the work for the cause, and you’ve got a teammate that is not buying in and is still taking five or six, seven per cent of the salary cap with no recourse from the football club.

“I hope whoever the new AFLPA CEO is doesn’t just fight for the one per cent, they actually fight for the majority that do the work. (They are) fighting for the wrong side — fight for the players that do the work and not the ones that take the p--s.”

Kane Cornes added: “The Western Bulldogs should stand him down for the rest of the year. This has gone on for too long.”

The 3-2 Dogs next meet the Saints at Marvel Stadium this Sunday night.