Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (born 4 April 2002) is a professional Australian rules footballer with the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early life and education
Ugle-Hagan was born in Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve in south-west Victoria into a family of Indigenous Australian (Noongar-Gunditjmara-Djab Wurrun) descent. He attended secondary school at Warrnambool College and Scotch College.
Early career
He first played for East Warrnambool and South Warrnambool at a community football level, before progressing to Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League.
AFL career
Rise: 2021–2022
He was a member of the Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy, which helps scout and develop Aboriginal and multicultural players, and people who would not otherwise play the sport of Australian rules football.
Ugle-Hagan was taken at Pick 1 in the 2020 national draft, when the Western Bulldogs matched the Adelaide Crows' bid. He is the first Bulldogs No.1 Draft Pick since Adam Cooney in 2003, and only the second Indigenous player to be taken with the first selection since Des Headland in 1998.
Ugle-Hagan played his first AFL game for the Western Bulldogs on 11 July 2021 in their Round 17 loss to the Sydney Swans. On debut, Ugle-Hagan collected seven disposals and one mark. Despite staying goalless, Ugle-Hagan was kept in the team for round 18, where he kicked three goals in a strong performance against the Gold Coast Suns. On 5 August 2021, it was revealed that Ugle-Hagan signed on with the Bulldogs until the end of 2024.
Ugle-Hagan received a Rising Star nomination for his five-goal performance against Melbourne during round 19 in 2022.
Breakout: 2023
In Round 2 of the 2023 AFL season, Ugle-Hagan received a racist remark from a St Kilda supporter when walking off the field at the end of the game. The next week in their game against the Brisbane Lions, Ugle-Hagan kicked five goals in a low scoring and tight game. As a celebration of one of his five goals he lifted his shirt and pointed to his skin whilst looking at the crowd, emulating Nicky Winmar's iconic gesture under similar circumstances in a 1993 game. This started some career best form for the young dog with a 3 goal performance in Round 11 against Gold Coast, a 4 goal performance along side 12 disposals in Round 16 versing Fremantle and 2 goals with 13 disposals the week after facing Collingwood. Ugle-Hagen has finished a breakout year in 2023 playing every game possible for the Western Bulldogs and finishing 2nd in their leading goalkicker tally with 35 goals.
Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of 2023.
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | ||||
| 2021 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 25 | 10 | 35 | 14 | 8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 2.8 | 1.6 |
| 2022 | Western Bulldogs | 2 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 100 | 34 | 134 | 60 | 18 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 7.8 | 3.5 | 1.0 |
| 2023 | Western Bulldogs | 2 | 23 | 35 | 35 | 188 | 73 | 261 | 120 | 22 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 8.1 | 3.2 | 11.3 | 5.2 | 0.9 |
| Career | 45 | 60 | 53 | 313 | 117 | 430 | 194 | 48 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 7.0 | 2.6 | 9.6 | 4.3 | 1.1 | ||
Honours and achievements
Individual
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2022
- 22under22 team: 2023