Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has broken his silence after taking some personal time away from the club.
Ugle-Hagan has not been sighted with his Bulldogs teammates since Christmas, opting to miss pre-season camps and remain in Melbourne as the club headed north to Noosa.
The 22-year-old forward is spending this weekend in Perth with the Indigenous All Stars but will not line up in the marquee clash.
"Definitely had my ups and downs with family loss, and then I struggled with that and the balance of training," Ugle-Hagan told 7NEWS.
Chat with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
He wonโt feature early in the season and thereโs no timeline on a playing return.But he hopes to resume training on Monday and says โIโm the happiest Iโve ever been.โ https://t.co/dDgPQyrt6t
โ Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) February 13, 2025
"I've just stayed home, trained on my own and just trying to keep busy with my training and get on top of that.
"Psychologist stuff, which is, I don't know, it's a bit difficult, but right now I'm just enjoying my footy and training hard."
Ugle-Hagan has all but been officially ruled out of the Bulldogs' Round 1 clash against North Melbourne on March 15, with no clear timeline on his return.
"I feel like I'm fit, I'm healthy," he said.
"Obviously, I feel like I'm the happiest I've ever been. But I don't know what's happening.
"Right now I'm just going to take it day by day. Obviously going to enjoy this trip, look after the little kids that look up to me and just have fun.
"We'll just see what happens and hopefully I'm back training (at the Bulldogs) on Monday."
According to Nine's chief AFL reporter Tom Morris, there is a real possibility that the former Pick 1's return to the top level might not come until much later in the season.
It is understood that Ugle-Hagan will be required to tick off a longer training block before coming into consideration for selection.
"Jamarra Ugle-Hagan won't play round one as he continues to train away from the club," Morris said.
"Those closest to him concede his return may not be until several weeks or even months into the season.
"Everyone has danced around Ugle-Hagan's issues because they are serious and they are personal.
"But what is clear at this time is there is legitimate concern from those around him regarding his health and wellbeing.
"That does stretch far beyond football."
The Bulldogs face Essendon on Saturday at Whitten Oval in a pre-season match simulation.
Channel 7's Mitch Cleary reported that captain Marcus Bontempelli and midfielder Tom Liberatore will be absent.
