AFL Media’s Cal Twomey has named the clubs that he thinks are in the running for out-of-contract Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The 21-year-old has already been linked to Hawthorn and Twomey expects Collingwood, Sydney and even Essendon to also chase the former No.1 pick.
Twomey described the Ugle-Hagan contract saga as the “big one” in the upcoming AFL trade and free agency sweepstakes.
“This is the big one at the moment, there’s no doubt about that,” Twomey told AFL.com.au’s Gettable.
“Collingwood have been linked, Hawthorn is chasing like they chase every other key forward.
“Sydney is in the market still for a key forward after going hard at Aaron Naughton and Nick Larkey last year.
“Essendon, I think will also be interested.”
While the other clubs have previously been touted as potential suitors for Ugle-Hagan, Twomey also named one rival who has now been freshly linked to the forward in Richmond.
Twomey is tipping the Tigers to be in the chase for his signature after losing Jack Riewoldt to retirement last year.
“The other one I believe who are interested is Richmond,” Twomey said.
“They are in the post-Riewoldt world and are coming to the end of Tom Lynch’s free agency deal as well.
“They are a watch for me in the Jamarra race, I think they are in the chase.
“The Dogs still have remained confident that they’ll re-sign him.
“But I don’t think that’ll be soon, there is a feel amongst clubs that it’s sort of a holding station as well.”
While Twomey isn’t suggesting that Ugle-Hagan will decide to move, he does expect the forward to receive offers of 10 or more years to leave the Whitten Oval.
“Rival clubs are also aware to prise him out it will have to take a deal of 10 or 11 years,” Twomey said.
“This is going to be a mega, monster, extreme deal if he is to leave.
“He’s in his fourth year, if he stays it’s probably a four-year deal through to free agency but if he leaves, this is probably his big deal. So, you do the four years to free agency then the free agency deal, on top of that in one hit.
“I’m not saying he’s going to move, but there’s certainly clubs out there looking at him and I think Richmond will be among that.”
Ugle-Hagan has played 45 games for the Dogs and has 60 career goals to his name.
