NAB League 2019: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicks four goals in preliminary final win

Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan showed why he will be one of the most exciting players in next year’s draft after four-goal haul in Oakleigh’s preliminary final win.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan marks on the lead. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Talented forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan showed why he has been touted as a top pick in next year’s draft with a star showing in Oakleigh Chargers’ preliminary final win on Saturday.

The high-flying forward kicked four goals in the 75-point win over Sandringham Dragons at Ikon Park as Oakleigh advanced to the NAB League grand final, where it will meet the Eastern Ranges.

Ugle-Hagan kicked 4.2 from 12 disposals and took nine marks in the 17.7 (109) to 4.10 (34) win.

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The indigenous teenage sensation is tied to the Western Bulldogs through their Next Generation Academy and boards at Scotch College.

Oakleigh coach Leigh Clarke said the athletic 195cm player was an exciting prospect.

“I can send you photos of the way he runs and jumps over people,” Clarke said.

“His agility, I could see him playing mid. He understands his footwork … he’s able to organise big long levers of his legs really well.”

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan displays his sure hands. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Two of Ugle-Haggan’s goals came in the first quarter and he has 24 majors from eight games this year.

“He travels all the way to Scotch from Warrnambool,” Clarke said.

“He’s had to make some sacrifices over the last couple of weeks and stay in town because we’ve had training on Saturdays.

“You can see that’s paying off. The quality of a kid like that, we hold in pretty high regard.

“You see how hard he comes at the ball and our boys kick it really well to him.”

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Sandringham grabbed a one-point lead late in the first quarter before Oakleigh piled on 15 of the next 17 goals.

First-round draft chance Trent Bianco continued his run of form, collecting 27 disposals and laying five tackles.

Oakleigh players celebrate a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Matt Rowell was the game’s leading possession winner with 32 touches, and Noah Anderson kicked three goals from 23 possessions.

Tom Graham relished a move to forward line to finish with three goals, including one from the junction of the boundary line and 50m arc in the second quarter.

“Maybe that starts a conversation with a club or continues a conversation with a club,” Clarke said.

“The one thing about our program, we’re pretty good listeners so we listen to some people during the week.

Tom Graham gets his hands to the ball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“They were keen to see Tom play up forward and (we) thought we could stretch them up forward if we had Tom up there running and jumping like he can.

“It just shows the growth in Tom, he is only two years into the game and to be able to kick a goal from almost 50m out on the heart of the boundary on his left side, shows the confidence he has.”

The NAB League grand final will be played at Ikon Park on Saturday at 1.05pm.

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