Luke Beveridge has shut down the possibility of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan being rushed back into the Western Bulldogs line-up, declaring the star forward a "long way off".
Ugle-Hagan has not played this season, but rejoined Bulldogs teammates last week for the first time since April.
The former No.1 pick is looking to make his AFL comeback after recently visiting a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track.
Ugle-Hagan was back in the headlines this week after detailing his mental health battle on a podcast, Rip Through It, with former Brisbane Lions players Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson.
Beveridge, speaking ahead of the Bulldogs' crunch clash with Sydney at the SCG on Friday, was determined not to let Ugle-Hagan become a distraction.
"He's a long way off being ready to play," the Bulldogs coach said of Ugle-Hagan on Wednesday.
"With Jamarra, if he's going to be a weekly question, you'll just be wasting your time.
"He won't play at state league level, or at AFL level, for a while.
"This one is about Sydney versus the Western Bulldogs."
The AFL would need to approve Ugle-Hagan's comeback because he has been under the league's mental health plan since taking leave.
But Ugle-Hagan, contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of next season, said he was adamant about resuming his 67-game AFL career.
He would first need to show consistency at training, then play well at VFL level, before he could command a return in the finals-contending Bulldogs' forward line.
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Oliver Caffrey - AAP
