Luke Beveridge is seeking to "move beyond" the Jamarra Ugle-Hagan saga, with the Western Bulldogs coach looking to place his attention toward "what we can influence".
The Dogs confirmed this week that Ugle-Hagan, who hasn't played at any level this year and has trained with teammates sporadically, has taken personal leave from the club.
The decision places further doubt over whether Ugle-Hagan will play in the red, white and blue again, with his coach hopeful the decision "leads to a really good outcome" for the former No.1 pick and the club.
Quizzed on the 23-year-old's decision to step away from football for the time being, Beveridge said he remains focused on the task at hand with his playing group and the club.
"Once it had been discussed between Jamarra, the AFL and our club, I knew it was happening," Beveridge told the media on Friday.
"Nothing has really changed there for me. As I've said before, all my energy has gone (toward) what we can influence here. It's pleasing that there's hopefully some initiative there that's different, and we hope that leads to a really good outcome.
"Now that there's been a club statement, and it expresses what's actually happening, we'll move away from (discussing) it for a while, and hope Jamarra goes really well in this period of finding himself back in life and in the game."
Beveridge continued to be questioned on the situation surrounding Ugle-Hagan, with the premiership coach looking to put a pin in the discussion.
"I'll leave [the Ugle-Hagan] discussion there. [Ask] questions about other things now," Beveridge said.
"I've answered these questions before. I just said there was a club statement and to respect Jamarra's privacy and what he's got to go through, and keeping the focus on what's up ahead. Let's move beyond it."
When pressed on another question relating to Ugle-Hagan's absence, Beveridge said: "Let's move beyond it. What've you got for me?"
The Dogs have found success in Ugle-Hagan's absence this year, claiming wins over North Melbourne, Carlton, St Kilda and GWS while also being without captain Marcus Bontempelli for most of the year to date.
Beveridge will regain All-Australian Adam Treloar for this week's matchup with Port Adelaide in what is the latest boost for the eight-placed Bulldogs.
Treloar joins Lachie McNeil in returning to the senior side, with rookie pair Josh Dolan and Cooper Hynes making way.
The Dogs are chasing their fifth win of the season in Ballarat on Saturday, hosting a Port Adelaide unit that has won its past three matches.
