Under-fire AFL official Laura Kane has reportedly played a pivotal role in the return of troubled Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The 23-year-old hasn't played an AFL game in 2025 due to variety of personal issues, but recently returned to Whitten Oval to train with his Bulldogs team-mates.
Alongside AFL mental health lead Kate Hall, AFL football operations boss Kane was an important figure in helping Ugle-Hagan return to the sport from his exile.
“Laura Kane has played a pivotal role... She has met semi-regularly with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan,” Caroline Wilson said on the Agenda Setters.
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“(Kane) has played the biggest role of anyone from the AFL aside from the mental health boss Kate Hall.”
While a senior berth at the Western Bulldogs or their VFL side Footscray seems a way off, Ugle-Hagan's return is positive for the player and club regardless of where he plays in 2026.
Ugle-Hagan will be able to build his fitness for possible game time in 2025 and get his body ready for the 2026 pre-season.
If the Bulldogs want to part ways with Ugle-Hagan, having him ready to play next season would sharply increase his value than if he sat out the entire 2025 campaign.
The Bulldogs have been non-committal over whether it's possible Ugle-Hagan could play seniors this season, but a berth in the VFL team has been floated as a possibility.