Buddy’s advice for Jamarra; Blues prepare for Coleman medallist’s return; Gawn defends Goodwin, opens up on family illness

Ugle-Hagan has been on a flexible training program throughout the pre-season. The Bulldogs have been supporting him as he works through personal issues, and have given no guarantees as to when he might be ready to return to play. They have been heartened at his gradual progress and understood his decision to go out socially, rather than attend the club’s 100th anniversary celebrations at the MCG on Friday night. Club CEO Ameet Bains told ABC Radio on Friday night he expected Ugle-Hagan, who remains contracted until the end of 2026, to remain with the Bulldogs next season. Franklin – who was at Glenferrie Oval to launch the AFL’s new Superkick program and run a clinic for children – ended up moving to Sydney at the mid-point of his career after playing in his second flag with the Hawks in 2013, partly to escape the constant spotlight on him in Melbourne.

He said any notion that life would be quieter playing for the Swans may have disappeared as the game and its stars are much more visible now than they were when he first arrived. “The Sydney market has definitely grown, that’s for sure. They have packed stadiums every week at the SCG now,” Franklin said. He also joked that he would fit in quite well in the “Hollywood Hawks” now, and current star Dylan Moore – who was alongside Franklin at Glenferrie Oval – said “I think we’d take him”.

- Peter Ryan Blues could be bolstered for Friday night blockbuster Andrew Wu

The Blues are hopeful key forward Harry McKay will return to bolster their forward line as they chase their first win of the season against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night. Harry McKay was a late withdrawal from Carlton’s team against Hawthorn last week. Credit: Getty Images A late withdrawal last Thursday due to illness, McKay has been listed as a test to play but will need to take part in Carlton’s main session for the week on Wednesday. McKay did not take part in a light run on Monday and may need extra work on Thursday to be ready to face the Dogs. The winless Blues have struggled in attack in the first two rounds, managing scores of just 69 and 60 after being one of the highest-scoring teams of last season.

They have received little thus far from twin towers McKay and Charlie Curnow, winners of three of the past four Coleman Medals and who are yet to play together after being key pillars of the side under coach Michael Voss. Loading McKay kicked one goal in the first round against Richmond while Curnow, after undergoing three operations in the off-season, endured one of the worst nights of his career against the Hawks, held to just five possessions by Josh Battle in a goalless outing. Defender Jordan Boyd is in line for his first senior game of the year after starring in the VFL against Box Hill. His return would add bite to the Blues’ rebound out of defence, which has lacked punch. Of the long list of Blues set to come back this week, only untried youngster Matt Carroll would be in the mix to come into the senior team. The Blues have a bye this week in the VFL.

Bulldogs defenders Liam Jones and James O’Donnell are expected to return from injury if they get through training on Wednesday. Jones, in particular, would significantly strengthen a Dogs’ backline that has relied on ruck/forward-turned-defender Rory Lobb to lead the way. Like his probable opponent Curnow, Jones’ pre-season was severely interrupted by injury when he sustained a high-grade hamstring strain eight weeks ago at training. ‘Love, support and care’: Gawn defends Goodwin, opens up on family illness Jon Pierik

Melbourne captain Max Gawn says he has no issue with Simon Goodwin after the Demons coach disclosed his star player was dealing with a personal “backstory”, but admits the matter could have been handled differently. Goodwin raised eyebrows on Sunday after the Demons’ 59-point loss to North Melbourne, revealing that Gawn – for so long the league’s premier ruckman, but, on this occasion, well beaten by Kangaroos’ counterpart Tristan Xerri – had “some stuff in life” he was managing and “people all have backstories”. “In life, there are other things that are going on,” Goodwin said. All good: Max Gawn had a rugged afternoon against Tristan Xerri, but says he has no issue with Simon Goodwin. Credit: Getty Images While it’s rare for coaches to freely disclose such information, Gawn on Tuesday said he had no issue with his coach, and opened up about what he has been dealing with for two years.

“I am OK. There is an illness in the family., it’s been for a while, about 24 months, to be honest. I have put myself in a really good spot throughout that 24 months, to be honest,” Gawn told Triple M. “I have played some good footy, got some great people at the club, great people in my family, and I have turned up every single day ready to be a captain, a player and have turned up at home ready to be a husband and dad. “I am in a really good spot, so is the family member, at this point. It did sort of escalate over the last three or four weeks, but it’s back to a steady start now. ” Goodwin had said throughout the pre-season the Demons would show greater “love” for each other, having endured a tumultuous 2024 campaign where star players Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver considered leaving the club, while president Kate Roffey and chief executive Gary Pert departed.

Gawn said Goodwin’s comments were a sign of “love”. “On those comments, I love that the coach loves me. It clearly shows that he cares. He is 100 per cent right. There are reasons behind performance issues for some players,” Gawn said. Loading “That wasn’t me on the weekend. I got myself into a really good point to be able to play. I just got beat. We all just got beat, apart from Kade Chandler, to be honest. “I won’t hide behind that. But I understand what my coach is doing. He is a father figure for me. He was showing love, he was showing care. I appreciate that.”

Gawn said he had been in “open dialogue” with club officials about how he was handling the matter to ensure he could be the best captain and player he could be. He said he had spoken with Goodwin on Monday about Sunday’s events. “We spoke a lot yesterday, and we speak every single day. There are no issues with me and Goody. I can clearly see what he was trying to do, show me love, support and care. And I don’t mind,” Gawn said. Loading “I spoke with that family member yesterday, they don’t mind. So, yeah, it’s fine. “I think if we all went back to the start of the press conference, we potentially would say: ‘I just got smashed by Xerri’. But I also don’t mind how it’s played out.

“I have had some ups and downs throughout the journey, but I have got myself in a really good spot to be able to play some good football. I know I am a mental health advocate. I would clearly stand aside from football if I was struggling, but I have some great people both at the club and at home that keep me in a good place.” Gawn had 11 disposals, 27 hitouts but only one clearance on Sunday, compared to Xerri’s 20 touches, 29 hitouts and 12 clearances and a goal. Gawn said the Demons’ intent on Sunday had been below par. “I have never actually believed this line – we didn’t turn up – but that’s what it certainly looked like. It looked like a team came ready to play some pretty hard, contest football, and one team sort of got bullied off the ball,” Gawn said. The Demons are winless after two rounds, and host Gold Coast at the MCG on Saturday.

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