Jamarra Ugle-Hagan admits 'I'm lucky I'm alive' after shooting scare as James Hird declares 'the kid has to be saved'

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has admitted he's lucky to be alive and revealed a bullet missed him by only a metre outside a Melbourne nightclub early on Sunday morning — a brush with death he described as "traumatising".

In the wake of the latest concerning chapter in the Western Bulldogs star's AFL career, former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has warned his lifestyle choices are edging him increasingly closer to a "huge disaster".

And former Essendon coach James Hird declared: "The kid has to be saved."

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Ugle-Hagan spoke exclusively to the Herald Sun on Tuesday after finding himself at the scene of a shooting outside the Love Machine nightclub about 2.25am on Sunday.

The former No.1 draft pick has been cleared of any wrongdoing, but many are asking why a footballer who said he was committed to getting his career back on track was out clubbing at that time, and in such a notorious night spot.

"I'm lucky I'm alive and nothing happened, as it was only a metre away [from me]," Ugle-Hagan told the Herald Sun, speaking publicly for the first time since the incident.

"It is traumatising and no one should be near or see any of that."

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Ugle-Hagan, 23, hasn't played football at any level this season.

He's been granted multiple absences of personal leave, and flexible football program plans have been arranged for him.

He has one year remaining on his Bulldogs contract, which is reportedly worth $900,000 a year, but Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd believes he won't play another game in the AFL.

"If he's at Love Machine next week or the week after, something even worse will happen," Hird said on Nine's Footy Classified on Tuesday night.

"He's got to stop that behaviour."

McGuire replied: "He is getting closer and closer and closer to a huge disaster. This is what's reported; we all know what's not getting reported."

Former Adelaide Crows captain Rory Sloane added: "Clubs will always condemn the action but always support the player."

Hird questioned that view of Sloane's.

"I don't think they will support Jamarra for much longer," Hird said.

"I think they've almost stopped supporting him.

"The kid has to be saved."

Wide World of Sports contacted the Western Bulldogs for comment.

The club said it was a police matter, with which Ugle-Hagan had co-operated.

The Bulldogs forward has played 67 AFL games since being taken with pick one in the 2020 draft, but he hasn't run out at any level since last year's elimination final against Hawthorn.