GARRY Lyon believes the Western Bulldogs will pay little heed to rumours swirling around first-year forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.<\/p>\n
It was reported by SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund on Thursday that clubs are enquiring after the 19-year-old, who is yet to debut after he was selected at number one in the 2020 national draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is only my opinion, but there is a snowflake\u2019s chance in hell they would entertain any offer for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan,\u201d Lyon told SEN Breakfast.<\/p>\n
Deprived of his draft year, the key forward arrived at Whitten Oval with a low fitness base, and anti-density rules at reserve level have limited his capacity to build it.<\/p>\n
He has watched on as Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton have kicked 63 goals between them to sit third and equal-sixth in the Coleman Medal race, respectively.<\/p>\n
Ugle-Hagan was named as an emergency for three consecutive games from Rounds 6-8, indicating he was inching closer to a senior appearance, but a concussion and the Melbourne lockdown have set him back.<\/p>\n
Tim Watson says he can empathise with the top selection\u2019s frustrations, given young key position players are thriving in other environments.<\/p>\n
Crows forward Riley Thilthorpe has kicked 13 goals in seven games, the Swans\u2019 Logan McDonald has impressed next to Lance Franklin, while Essendon\u2019s Nik Cox was the Round 12 Rising Star nominee, flourishing as a tall on the wing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re watching your other mates making their debut at other AFL clubs, and you\u2019re still not getting picked,\u201d Watson explained.<\/p>\n
“I can understand the kid is impatient and thinking, \u2018what about me?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe he can\u2019t see it exactly as it is from the Bulldogs\u2019 perspective right now. Hopefully he\u2019s getting the right advice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lyon emphasised his appreciation for the Dogs\u2019 careful approach to their blue-chip selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat clubs, which the Western Bulldogs are, manage this, and they\u2019ll manage it beautifully. Luke Beveridge is a great person,\u201d Lyon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I were the Western Bulldogs, I would hope he\u2019s not happy. I would hope he\u2019s banging down the door saying, \u2018why aren\u2019t I playing, get me in there\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201c(And that) he sits and listens and understands why he\u2019s not and continues to push hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
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