With the Dogs putting a Round Six win in their rear-view mirror, with perhaps their most impressive outing of the season to date, Aaron Naughton gave the footy a world a reminder of just how big a presence he can be inside 50.
And he did it without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan doing his work alongside him.
For some, it was a sign that Naughton has willingly sacrificed his own game in order to accommodate the young star and give him more space to work in. With Naughton playing as the number one man, he was able to run and attack the ball in flight without worrying about taking the space of his highly-rated young teammate.
The result was emphatic, with Naughton slotting three of his six goals in the first quarter to set the Dogs on the path to victory.
And whilst others saw is it as the sign that Naughton has been playing a somewhat selfless role, others saw it as a preview of life without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who remains without a contract beyond this 2024 season.
The Bulldogs have three marquee players with expiring deals this season. Both Tim English and Bailey Smith join Ugle-Hagan as highly-sought-after talent with a number of clubs circling them. However, there is a strong argument that, should he remain available, Ugle-Hagan will become the most attractive signature in the game as trade period rolls around.
And he has to be traded – Jamarra is a long way from free agency.
Whilst the Dogs would be desperate to hold onto all three of their stars, the accepted view amongst footy fans is that if they manage to keep two on the books, it’s a win. I’d agree with that, as long as Ugle-Hagan remains as one of those names.
If he is out, it’s a loss, even with two other stars signing on.
Ugle-Hagan has matured into a weapon over the last 12 months. With some of the best hands in the game, his ability to take the footy up high in a single grab has left many a defender looking second-rate. Sure, his kicking needs a bit of work, but he has assets that other forwards do not.
How many times do you see him go to ground?
The bloke has the uncanny ability to remain in the contest and his second efforts are improving all the time. As he gets stronger and fitter, we could see him become the most potent scoring threat in the game.
And that is what teams are eyeing off right now, irrespective of the cost.
Given his immense talent, the Dogs, if they’re unable to convince him to stay, would be asking top dollar for his services. We’re talking two top ten picks as a minimum. Who has that kind of currency to play with? Who can afford to go after Jamarra Ugle-Hagan? And who has the most attractive situation for him?
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