Lance Franklin’s Insights for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as the Bulldogs’ Future Hangs in the Balance

AFL legend Lance Franklin has expressed his thoughts on whether a change of scenery might be beneficial for Western Bulldogs talent Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

The young forward, who has yet to feature this season due to mental health issues, has also faced scrutiny regarding his behaviour outside of football.

At just 23, Ugle-Hagan has been linked to a potential transfer to Sydney, with Fox Footy’s Jay Clark suggesting the Swans are “in the box seat” if a trade request comes to fruition.

Franklin, who made a high-profile switch from Hawthorn to the Swans during his prime, believes that stepping out of the Melbourne bubble could be a beneficial move for Ugle-Hagan.

“When you look at Jamarra purely from a football perspective, he’s an immediate selection – he was the number one pick,” Franklin commented on the Buddy & Shane Podcast.

“But there are other complexities at play, which is unfortunate. For any club considering him, thorough due diligence will need to be conducted. There’s a lot to be considered in this situation.”

“Ultimately, the most important thing for Jamarra is his happiness and wellbeing.”

“If he were to join Sydney, he would be surrounded by strong leadership. Many players in Sydney are from Melbourne and when they move, they often find themselves without family support, which creates a close-knit environment. They really rely on each other on a daily basis.”

“If he were to transition to our squad, there’s no doubt he’d integrate well with the group.”

On his podcast, Franklin emphasised that Ugle-Hagan’s primary focus should be on his health and wellbeing.

“It’s a difficult situation because we lack insight into his personal circumstances or what transpires behind closed doors,” he remarked.

“How heartbreaking would it be to lose him to the game and never get to witness him play again? That’s not something we want to see.”

“He must ensure he receives all the necessary support and is surrounded by positive influences during this time.”

Ugle-Hagan remains contracted to the Bulldogs until the conclusion of the 2026 season, but it appears unlikely he will take to the field for the club this year.