Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has broken his silence after a tumultuous 8 months, which culminated in taking a leave of absence in April.

Ugle-Hagan only recently rejoined his teammates and coaches at the Whitten Oval.

The former Pick 1 opened up on his troubles of recent times, talking to ex-AFL players Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson on theย Rip Through It podcast.

"All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health," Ugle-Hagan said.

"It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn't drive, I just didn't trust myself driving. There were times when I would think about โ€“ to be honest with you โ€“ just not even worth even living.

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"I went through a struggle where I didn't want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom and found basement. Definitely (there were suicidal thoughts). Suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently.

Especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time. The way I was isolated and put out in public."

Ugle-Hagan said he struggled to find the joy in playing football, and found refuge with his mates and going out partying.

"When you are down, you want to keep finding an upper. My upper was probably staying and hanging out with my mates and getting on the piss and training with them as well.

"But it just had no end goal, I didn't have a game. I didn't have anything. My mental health wasn't in the right space, so I was struggling, and I found it really tough to even enjoy football.

"I lost the fun in it. I didn't want to play; it wasn't even a priority because all I wanted to do was find something. But I didn't know what that was until I have had this break.โ€

Ugle-Hagan's renewed drive to play on the big stage has come from being absent from the game he loves and cherishes.

"I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy. I want to kick a f---ing goal in front of those crowds," he said.

"I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them. I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games."

Ugle-Hagan also lifted the lid on the persistent trade speculation, which has become a weekly focus.

The 23-year-old is contracted until the end of 2026 at the Bulldogs, and has already been linked with Sydney due to the out-of-Melbourne bubble benefit that is dominated by a state that favours Rugby League.

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"I'm obviously still contracted with the โ€˜Doggies' and I still want to play for them, and I want to win a flag," he said.

"It's the Bulldogs until my contract runs out, and then hopefully, they offer me another one, but we will see how we go.

"They have given me opportunities since day dot, so why can't I get back?"

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