'He's our player': Luke Beveridge's defiant response after latest Jamarra Ugle-Hagan report

Luke Beveridge insists Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will remain a Western Bulldogs player next season, despite reports the key forward is eyeing a move to a Sydney-based rival.

The 23-year-old is contracted with the Bulldogs until the end of 2026 but remains on an indefinite leave of absence due to personal reasons this season.

With his future yet to be sealed, Nine's Tom Morris revealed Ugle-Hagan had told those close to him that "he would like to play for the Sydney Swans next year."

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"Western Bulldogs are weighing up what they do next with him," Morris said on Nine's Footy Classified on Tuesday night.

"My understanding is Jamarra has told those close to him he would like to play for the Sydney Swans next year, in a perfect world.

"Whether that takes place, whether the Swans are keen or not, I'm not sure. The Dogs would have to trade him, because of course, he's contracted."

Ugle-Hagan's return to the AFL still remains somewhat of a mystery, although a video posted on social media has hinted that his return is edging closer.

A training montage video was posted on Ugle-Hagan's Instagram on Tuesday, which appeared to show that he is improving both physically and mentally.

Adelaide great Rory Sloane wants to see him back in proper training soon.

"If I'm a club and I'm serious about picking this guy up, I need to see him training for a footy club," Sloane replied to Morris.

"You can not do training like that on your own. You need to touch the footy, be involved, surrounded by the best people.

"Footy clubs are great environments to go through hardships in."

Beveridge recognised the efforts of his player in the video were a "great sign" for the team, but the coach then quickly shut down talks Ugle-Hagan could be on the move.

"You take any speculation regards to any player with a grain of salt, the way we approach it - he's our player," he said at his press conference on Wednesday.

"We will do our best to work out what's right from him and look after him. I've got no thoughts that he won't be here next year.

"I think we need to keep an open mind about his prosperity and his future.

"I'm taking that [video] as a positive, hopefully he is. As I said, with the new challenges to going away and focusing on his own mental wellbeing in his life journey.

"Hopefully, he's got some things in a bit more an order and that can propel him into his footy at some point - when that is, who knows, that might be a fair way away."