Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has lifted the lid on his much-publicised struggles with mental health, as he plots an AFL return for the Western Bulldogs this season.
Ugle-Hagan hasn’t played at any level since the Bulldogs’ 2024 elimination final loss to Hawthorn, with the troubled forward taking time away from the club and even checking into a mental health retreat amid a personal wellbeing battle.
The 23-year old returned to the Bulldogs during the week and is ramping up training in an unlikely bid to return at either VFL or even senior level in 2025.
Speaking on the Rip Through It podcast hosted by former AFL players Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson, Ugle-Hagan admitted to regularly considering taking his own life, saying he ‘lost the fun’ in playing football.
“There were times when I would think about, to be honest with you, just not even worth even living,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“I went through a struggle where I didn’t want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom and found basement … suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently.”
Ugle-Hagan has been criticised for his off-field associations, which he defended as an attempt to ‘find an upper’ amid his struggle.
“When you are down you want to keep finding an upper. My upper was probably staying and hanging out with my mates and getting on the piss and training with them as well,” he said.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan celebrates with Aaron Naughton after kicking a goal. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
“But it just had no end goal, I didn’t have a game. I didn’t have anything … my mental health wasn’t in the right space, so I was struggling.
“I found it really tough to even enjoy football … I lost the fun in it. I didn’t want to play, it wasn’t even a priority because all I wanted to do was find something.”
The former No.1 draft pick says he is committed to playing senior football again for the Bulldogs, as he attempts to rebuild trust with his teammates following a series of controversies including missing the club’s centenary match against Collingwood earlier this year, as well as regularly posting videos of his off-field activities to social media.
“I want to play footy, I can’t wait to play footy. I want to kick a f–king goal in front of those crowds,” he said.
“I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them.
“I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more – I want to play some games. It’s going to be grouse.
“I’m obviously still contracted with the ‘Doggies’ and I still want to play for them, and I want to win a flag.”
