MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Bulldogs head coach Luke Beveridge talks to the media during a Western Bulldogs AFL training session at Whitten Oval on June 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has thrown further support behind young forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who has signed a new two-year extension with the club.
The Bulldogs announced the young pup's new deal on Thursday, which became a headlining topic at Beveridge's media conference the next day.
When asked on Ugle-Hagan's future and reports linking the teenager away from Whitten Oval, Beveridge was quick to condemn any suggestion that his prized pick would depart the kennel.
"That's some of the stuff that happens that we'd rather not deal with where it's just made up & there is no facts, no basis to it.. that was a bit of a shame," Beveridge said.
Ugle-Hagan has quickly become a key cog in the Bulldogs' push toward finals, booting six goals in his four games so far this season.
The 19-year-old did have to wait until Round 17 to get his first chance at AFL level, a move criticised and questioned by many.
The wait looks to have paid dividends for Beveridge and the Dogs, with Ugle-Hagan now being utilised as a threatening forward option alongside Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce.
Certain comments made by Kangaroos consultant and former Demons and Swans coach Paul Roos look to have been set in Beveridge's mind, with the Dogs coach expressing his disappointment in the criticism of the No.1 pick ahead of his debut.
"We never set out to hold our players back," Beveridge said.
"We want to give them opportunities and it got to the point where we thought it was time.
"Even when we played him, there was some really disappointing comments made by a former senior coach, who's contracted at another club in a consultancy role as to what some of players and coaches had said to him about Marra's performance in a scratch match."
Ugle-Hagan will line up for the Bulldogs on Sunday, as they face Essendon at Marvel Stadium in hope of retaining their place atop the ladder.