Young Bulldogs player Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is set to become the AFL’s “highest paid player” when he signs a new deal next season, Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna believes.
Under contract until the end of 2024, Ugle-Hagan is poised to become the biggest talking point next season as the former number one overall draft pick decides his future.
Given teammate Aaron Naughton signed a monstrous eight-year contract extension at the Dogs, which would have pushed back an even bigger 10-year, $11 million deal with the Swans, Montagna believes Ugle-Hagan will get a higher offer.
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“I think almost every club in the competition will follow Jamarra Ugle-Hagan next year,” he said on Fox Footy. Trading day.
“I think there’s no reason why he won’t be the highest paid player or get the biggest contract we’ve ever seen in AFL history next year .
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“We must take into consideration the increase in the salary cap.
“He will get a long-term contract.
“I think he would get an eight- to 10-year deal up to $1.5 million a year with the cap increase.
“He will have the biggest contract in the history of football at some point next year.”
But the question is where.
Ugle-Hagan was compared to now-retired Swans great Lance Franklin even before he was drafted in 2020.
And now that Sydney has plenty of salary room to maneuver, Ugle-Hagan could be the man the Swans are looking for to replace Franklin.
Fox Footy’s Nick Dal Santo said there was no doubt Ugle-Hagan would demand something similar from compatriot Naughton.
“It’s almost apples for apples,” he said of the Dogs duo.
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“Yes, Jamarra is younger than Aaron Naughton, but if this is what Aaron Naughton wants to achieve, surely it has to be something similar – if not more.”
Fox Footy’s David Zita said the fact the Bulldogs still had to agree further deals in 2024 weighed into the discussion, with players like Tim English and Bailey Smith also out of contract.
“They have so many big names recruiting the Western Bulldogs,” he said.
“They ticked one off with Aaron Naughton with this mega eight-year contract.
“Jamarra Ugle-Hagan enters the final year of his contract next year – he will likely be the most sought-after player in the competition next year, given his production this year, his development as first choice . It has so many advantages. There is so much more untapped potential.
“He’s someone who’s going to get some big offers.”
