'Still quite a few hoops to jump through': Gold Coast might be only hope for Ugle-Hagan with Bulldogs return ruled out

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will not be at the Western Bulldogs in 2026, despite having a contract, according to Nine's chief AFL reporter Tom Morris.

The former No.1 draft pick missed the entire season due to mental health and behavioural issues, with the club losing faith in the key forward.

This could make it Gold Coast or bust for Ugle-Hagan, with Suns coach Damien Hardwick leading the charge to at least perform some early due diligence on him.

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The 23-year-old expressed earlier in the year his desire to play for the Bulldogs again in 2025 or 2026.

"I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy," he told the Rip Through It podcast.

"I want to kick a f---ing goal in front of those crowds.

"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 (game), I want to play some games."

He ultimately didn't feature at AFL or VFL level in 2025, with Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Gale frankly assessing that Ugle-Hagan might not be able to crack into the reserves side.

Footscray would go on to win the VFL premiership.

Ugle-Hagan was training separately from the team at times during the season but did briefly return to training in June. He did not return to competition.

The last time he stepped onto the field with the team was during the club's elimination final loss to Hawthorn in 2024.

Ugle-Hagan has already had his exit meeting with the Bulldogs.

Morris reported on Wednesday that the Suns are "doing their due diligence" on Ugle-Hagan but are yet to meet with him.

Morris added that there are still "quite a few hoops to jump through" before the Suns would be convinced to take the plunge.

"The Dogs wouldn't play hard ball if it got to that," Morris said.

One factor that could potentially complicate Ugle-Hagan's move north is the future of Charlie Curnow, who has the Suns as one of his preferred landing spots next season.

The Geelong Cats and Sydney Swans are also on Curnow's radar, although Carlton have so far shown no inclination to allow their All-Australian to leave.

No official trade requests have been made by Ugle-Hagan, even though he has been linked to a possible move to the Sydney Swans at several points this year.

Since being drafted in 2020, the Dogs star has played 67 games and kicked 103 goals.