Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's first year with Gold Coast hasn't gone to plan so far, with the former Pick 1 only featuring in three games for the Suns so far this year.
The key forward didn't get the opportunity to face his former side and hasn't featured in the VFL since Round 15.
The 24-year-old left the Bulldogs at the end of last season after taking the year off dealing with mental health struggles, but was back in the spotlight last week after a video of him and teammate Mac Andrew leaving a disabled toilet together at Suncorp Stadium during Game 3 of this year's State of Origin.
Speaking on the Six Points AFL podcast, Mark Stevens believes Ugle-Hagan will earn another contract at the Suns despite his poor season.
“I got asked about Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, didn't play again, missed with calf soreness, Damien Hardwick came out publicly in a presser and said, look we are going to back in Jamarra, and he'll be here next year. Well, he inferred that he'll get another year, but that has to be in doubt now, do you think?" Stevens said.
The former Bulldog has a games trigger in his contract, which can earn him a second year, but Daniel Harford doesn't understand why the Suns would give him another year if he doesn't reach the trigger.
“He won't reach the trigger, so why would they continue with him?”
“Not sure the events of recent weeks would have helped him, with that regard, not playing, doesn't reach the trigger, some off-field drama as well, the club's not going well, why would they continue, I wouldn't do it, he's a real talent, but it hasn't worked.”
Stevens believes there shouldn't be any excuses for Jamarra not being playing football at any level.
“People have forgotten how good he is; he hasn't worked, well, they say he's still working back into fitness," he added.
“He's had 18 months; there can be no excuses now for Jamarra not to be ripped.”
Harford has questions about Ugle-Hagan's commitment to be an AFL player.
“How are you not ready for AFL footy after 18 months of training?
"He hasn't played for 18 months, which doesn't make any sense, which means there have got to be questions about his commitment levels to being an AFL player.
“If he doesn't want to be one, that's ok, that's fine; there are no issues with that, but if you are going to be one, you've got to buy in and do all the work.
"If you are not fit after 18 months, you're clearly showing the whole football world, let alone yourself, that it's not really for you.”
