Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge remains uncertain of young forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's pathway back to football, noting his "actions don't back the words up" of a player looking to return to the peak of his powers.
Ugle-Hagan has not played at any level this year and has spent time away from the club due to personal matters, clouding the former No.1 pick's career as a Bulldog.
The Dogs have looked to support the 23-year-old, with Beveridge hoping to meet with Ugle-Hagan and the AFL in the near future.
As Ugle-Hagan's absence has continued, concerns surrounding the athletic forward's future have grown, even placing the Dogs coach in a position of uncertainty.
In an honest interview with News Corp, Beveridge said the matter "will probably come to a head" if Ugle-Hagan remains away from the club.
The premiership coach said he hasn't seen the needed actions from Ugle-Hagan to suggest the key position talent holds a desire to play in the red, white and blue in the top flight again.
"I don't know, that is the serious answer," Beveridge told the publication.
"He will tell you he does, but the actions don't back the words up. It is going to take a lot of time to build trust again with everyone.
"The thing about compliance and punctuality and being in a program you have to be there. You can't choose which days you don't come."
"And that has probably been his existence over this year until recently when he has been away from the club."
Beveridge has been forced to field questions on Ugle-Hagan each week of this season, with the coach now looking to "centre your observations and influence on the people who are there".
The Dogs have managed a positive start to their 2025 campaign despite the Ugle-Hagan situation, with father-son forward Sam Darcy enjoying a dominant start to his fourth year at the Kennel.
Darcy is facing months on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained in last week's win over St Kilda, leaving Aaron Naughton as the spearhead option in Beveridge's front third.
The Western Bulldogs, who have battled with a series of setbacks to senior players, are eyeing their fourth win of the year in Round 7, with a victory over GWS in Canberra potentially elevating them into the top eight.
