Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's career at the Western Bulldogs is hanging by a thread, with senior figures questioning whether the club can justify keeping him on their list.
The 23-year-old, who earns close to $900,000 a season, was present during a non-fatal shooting outside Melbourne's Love Machine nightclub at 2.30 am on Sunday.
While police have cleared Ugle-Hagan of wrongdoing, former Essendon great Matthew Lloyd insists the issue is about trust and professionalism, not criminality.
"My views last week, and I was strong on it, I don't believe he'll play another game of AFL football, and I know you guys were surprised by that," Lloyd said on Footy Classified. "I used the word trust. I don't trust him. I wouldn't want him at my football club. That's the view I have on someone who is disrespecting the game and is disrespecting the opportunity that he's got, in my opinion."
Ugle-Hagan has one year left on his contract, worth around $900,000, but AFL journalist Damian Barrett has floated the prospect of the Bulldogs cutting ties without paying him out.
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"They've paid him in full this year. The AFL and the AFLPA got involved, and they are paying him his full rate for this year, but next year is a different story," Barrett said.
"If they can get him off their books next year and not pay him, there's $1m they can use next year on other players. He's not living up to his contract. I would argue it is a breach of contract on many contracts that employers have in the general workforce."
For now, the Bulldogs have ruled Ugle-Hagan out of both AFL and VFL duties for 2025. Whether he pulls on the jumper again may depend on whether the club values rehabilitation over separation.