Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Toby Greene, Darcy Moore feature in Wheelchair Champs game
A trio of the AFL’s biggest names are being wheeled out to try their hand at playing a different form of footy against some of the nation’s most talented athletes.
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Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will put his footy skills to the ultimate test this weekend.
The gun forward will line-up alongside Collingwood premiership captain Darcy Moore and GWS skipper Toby Greene in an All Star Game on Sunday at the Wheelchair AFL National Championships.
The game will also feature Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic gold medallist Ryley Batt, actor Samuel Johnson and the AFL’s general manager of game development Rob Auld.
Ugle-Hagan said he was a “bit nervous” ahead of his Wheelchair AFL debut.
“It’s definitely because of the people who are playing and it’s a good sport to come into,” he said when asked what had attracted him to the event.
“Not many people have the opportunity to get in a wheelchair and give it a go and play against some real competitors.”
As one of the AFL’s leading forwards, Ugle-Hagan is also hoping to send the ball through the big sticks in front of what he hopes is a big crowd at the State Netball Centre in Parkville.
“I’ll just sit in the forward line hopefully and put it up in the air,” he said.
“You don’t want to go head on with these guys because they’re clearly going to knock you over, they’re bigger than us and know how to do it.
“It’s my first time in a wheelchair. I think I’m going to take it easy, I’m not going to go head on but we’ll see what happens.”
Victoria will be looking to secure back-to-back titles but the tournament hosts will enter with a different look.
After entering Victoria Blue and Victoria White last year, the state has elected to metro and country teams this weekend.
Chris Henderson will captain-coach the country side while Joanna Argaet is co-captain of the metro team.
“It was an honour last year to represent Vic Blue as it was last year but the new format is a truer reflection of where we are all located,” Henderson said.
“For me growing up in regional Victoria, I feel really honoured to lead the team this week.
“I think we will give a good account of ourselves which is really exciting.”
Games will be live streamed on Kayo Freebies this weekend.
Entry is also free.
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Originally published as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Toby Greene, Darcy Moore feature in Wheelchair Champs game
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