Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has spoken positively about a potential move to the Gold Coast Suns while candidly revealing his mental health battle over the last 12 months.
The Western Bulldogs star didn't play football at any level in 2025, with several periods of leave taken to deal with personal issues.
Ugle-Hagan is contracted with the Bulldogs until the end of next season, but has been in discussions with the Suns about reviving his AFL career up north.
The 23-year-old shed light on his mental health challenges and why the lack of football contributed to his 2025 struggles.
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"It’s good to have light at the end of the tunnel, but obviously (I’m) still contracted to the Western Bulldogs, so I’ll still represent them as a team. But I’m still keeping options out there, we’ll see what happens," Ugle-Hagan said in an interview with Xander McGuire.
"Obviously my mental health was paying a toll, but that’s because football wasn’t a thing. Obviously I wanted to play and wanted to train, but somehow I’ve just got to meet the requirements and stuff… it was challenging.
"I reckon I had 12 funerals this year, so that’s 12 family losses. That definitely takes a toll on my football and stuff. But my football’s my medicine, so if I have that, I’m healthy, up and about.
"But if I don’t have that, it’s definitely a challenge — it’s like taking candy from a baby."
It's understood Ugle-Hagan and the Bulldogs will part ways amicably if the star forward can find a new home for 2026.
Ugle-Hagan kicked 43 goals from 78 scoring shots in 2024 - showing how dangerous he can be as an elite forward.