AFL 2023: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan stars with five goals, powerful racism stand in Dogs win
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was shattered last weekend by vile racist attacks on field and off. On Thursday night through his powerful and emotional stand, he said ‘enough is enough’.
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Jamarra Ugle-Hagan felt the full force of every emotion.
There was the exhilaration of his opening goal and Nicky Winmar celebration, the joy and thrill of leading his team to victory, the sadness of last weekend’s racist comments, and the relief of it all when his fifth goal sailed through, rounding out a week and a night he will likely never forget.
The Bulldogs were a club seen to be on the brink this week.
But for Ugle-Hagan, and his indigenous brothers and sisters and everyone who stands with them, the Dogs’ September aspirations weren’t the only thing under attack.
The number one draft pick was shattered last weekend, and needed time away from the club because he was racially abused on the ground and online in the kind of horrific manner that can haunt people forever.
But this was no ordinary night at Marvel Stadium.
Just like Winmar on April 17 in 1993, when people hurled abuse at the St Kilda great all day, a 20-year-old from a small town near Warrnambool in Victoria’s west lifted his jumper, pointed to his skin, stood up and said ‘enough is enough’.
And fans across the country jumped out of their seats and couches in solidarity with him.
Ugle-Hagan has never met Winmar, but they will be forever linked for their courage and brilliance.
And for Beveridge, who knows both of these men well, it would have been one of the proudest nights of his coaching career.
The Dogs found their balance on the field on Thursday night, smashing the Lions out of the middle, applying more pressure forward, and staying connected on defence in a way that has kept their season alive after a terrible start.
But it was a revealing night, and not just because it showed the character of the jet from Framlingham - a town of about 170 people - near the Hopkins River in western Victoria.
The 14-point win showed the Dogs can still be a force this season after knocking off one of the most highly-rated teams in the competition which included the Dogs’ own best and fairest winner from last year, Josh Dunkley, coming off a massive win over Melbourne last weekend at the Gabba.
But what did Ugle-Hagan’s stand and his comments afterwards reveal about the Western Bulldogs at a time when the football public were perhaps waiting to see if the joint was going to fracture, if not completely fall apart?
Plenty.
The pressure on Beveridge was clearly mounting and ex-St Kilda coach Grant Thomas this week said he shouldn’t be there, two-year contract or not.
There’s been the 2016 premiership hangover, the players who have left in the years since and last year’s disappointment bombing out of the first week of the finals after losing the Grand Final to Melbourne the year before. They looked scarred.
But when people came for Ugle-Hagan in the most vile and disgusting manner last weekend, the gun goal kicker found refuge within those same four walls which we all thought might have been closing in around the players and their coach.
For the gifted forward, the kennel was a lifeboat this week.
So when Ugle-Hagan kicked his fifth goal after the siren to pip the Lions, just like what happened after the first goal, he was swamped by his teammates.
And that, aside from the support of his partner and his immediate family, was exactly where Ugle-Hagan wanted and needed to be.
In the arms of his mates.
Ugle-Hagan, the man who was left out of the team in the early part of his career despite his enormous talents, loves the kennel, and it was the place he found the most comfort when his heart hurt this week.
In the press conference, his voice started to crackle with the emotion of the events of the week, but it was crystal clear how he felt about the people around him.
“I did struggle behind closed doors,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“I was fortunate to have my partner ‘Liv’, she supported me throughout the whole day and the weekend, and then obviously I have had contacts from my family and teammates and stuff to say they had my back.
“I had so much support from fans and everyone else. That’s what got me through.
“We have got such a great club. We are all connected and I felt comfortable going into work and going out to train.
“You kind of forget what happens because you are having so much fun inside those doors.
“I’m just glad I have got so much support and everyone is looking after me. I’m going to be better every day.
“I did want to have a presence, just to show we could win a game of football.”
The stakes were sky-high, but they didn’t break, the Doggies. Under all sorts of pressure.
Beveridge sat next to Ugle-Hagan in the press conference after the 14-point victory with a look of unmistakable fatherly pride. The third-year forward has played only 25 games.
It was like his face was going to explode, Beveridge was so happy for him. Ugle-Hagan’s stand, his performance, the merit of it all.
Brave Winmar changed the game 30 years ago with his iconic gesture in the face of a torrent of disgusting abuse at Victoria Park, and maybe Ugle-Hagan will do something similar for the younger generation in the online age.
Beveridge talked about his character, what Ugle-Hagan was made of, and the whole club’s absolute admiration for him. The jubilation and fondness, rather than last week’s isolation and sadness.
The Lions had been declared certainties by some pundits this week, but Beveridge formulated a clear plan and they executed, saving their season.
For 2023 at least, this could be a turning point.
“That was really important,” Beveridge said.
“We identified really clearly, mainly from last week what we needed to do in regards to bridging the gap, with the balance of our game, and you would have noticed we were a better pressure side tonight,” Beveridge said.
“To keep a team like the Lions to such a low score with their scoring power is a really good result and a great night for us.
“I know they (Lions) have dropped their last couple on the road but I think someone mentioned I think they have only lost four out of their last 70-odd (at home).
“They have been a powerhouse, as much as they are still searching for the big result (premiership) at the end of the year.
“We knew tonight if we could knock them off it could create a little milestone for us that we could leverage off, and there were many, many contributors across the board.
“There were some outstanding ones in ‘Marra’ and some of his teammates (Marcus Bontempelli included).
“But I said to the boys ‘I’m torn between celebrating the win, but also saying ‘Hey this is what we are capable of’, so we will enjoy it, but move on pretty quickly.”
Dunkley’s role in the game against his old side became a small side note as the Dogs smashed the Lions in centre clearances 12-4, ramped up the tackle pressure (57-52), and capitalised on Joe Daniher’s missed opportunities (four behinds).
In particular, Bontempelli was in sublime form, Tom Liberatore produced 30 pressure acts to match his 29 disposals, Jason Johannisen returned to a half back flank and new fan favourite Arthur Jones ramped up the pressure and speed in attack.
Daniher and Eric Hipwood were kept to 13 possessions, even though Jack Gunston threatened to break off the chain with three-straight goals in the third term.
The Dogs defence has been a huge headache, but on Thursday night it received a big tick as Liam Jones, Alex Keath and Josh Bruce got the job done.
But Ugle-Hagan said Jones brought a special buzz and infectious energy in the forward half.
That’s what Ugle-Hagan stood up for after the first goal, and made a point to be proud of himself and his people.
So that Jones, hopefully, never has to experience the same racism and hate.
And why every football fans should call it out.
As Beveridge said, the indigenous dance is something to cherish and celebrate in our game.
“That’s what we need in our forward line,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“It just creates a little spark and we just go on from there.
“Without him, the energy is going to be there, but it is not as exciting.
“He was doing a lap of honour at the end of the game, and we were waiting for him at the gates for like 10 minutes.
“But that’s him and that’s what we love about him. He brings that happiness and that warmth to our club.”
‘Calling it out’: Jamarra’s powerful statement catapults Dogs to win
Western Bulldogs’ forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has made a powerful stand against the racism he received last weekend, re-creating Nicky Winmar’s ‘I’m proud’ gesture.
Ugle-Hagan, 20, pulled up his jumper and pointed to his skin after slotting the first goal of the game in a brilliant and memorable response to the horrific abuse which was directed at him on-field and online last Saturday night.
It was a repeat of Winmar’s famous stand where the St Kilda great made arguably the most significant declaration against racism in the game’s history after a match against Collingwood on April 17, 1993 at Victoria Park.
Ugle-Hagan’s family were horrified by the abuse he copped, but the number one draft pick fired on Thursday night, producing one of the best performances of his 25-game career with five goals in the 14-point win over Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium.
A handful for Jamarra, and the Bulldogs have their first win of 2023 ðŸ¶#AFLDogsLionspic.twitter.com/psL74txPrH
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 30, 2023
The Dogs hope the tense victory will help reignite their season after a pair of losses to start the 2023 campaign heaped pressure on the club and its coach Luke Beveridge.
Ugle-Hagan’s gesture comes only two weeks out from the 30th anniversary celebration of Winmar’s stand which has been lauded for helping turn the tide against racism in football.
Ugle-Hagan was given time away from the club on Monday to help deal with the racist abuse he received in the loss to St Kilda. The racism was condemned by both clubs.
But the man from Framlingham, in western Victoria, responded in emphatic fashion in attack under the roof, and was one of the Bulldogs’ best players alongside inspirational captain Marcus Bontempelli.
Bulldogs’ director Luke Darcy said the Winmar gesture was a wonderful moment from Ugle-Hagan after a challenging week for the third-year goal kicker.
“It is a beautiful image,” Darcy said on Triple M.
“It has been 30 years since that incredible (Winmar) moment.
“It is tragic we still have to deal with these things at the footy, and it has been an emotional week for him when you see what it does to family and loved ones.
“It is disgraceful and horrific.
“But the young man handled himself beautifully this week.”
All our love to Jamarra â¤ï¸#AFLDogsLionspic.twitter.com/yl2XOmgry6
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 30, 2023
Ugle-Hagan nailed the first goal of the game against the Lions at Marvel Stadium after capitalising on some excellent defensive work from debutant Arthur Jones.
Jones, another proud indigenous man, tackled Cameron Rayner to set up the Ugle-Hagan major which helped ignite the Dogs after a tough week of intense scrutiny on the club for their 0-2 start to the season.
But it was the Winmar gesture which will be seen around the country and applauded across the league as Ugle-Hagan defiantly showed he would not be intimidated or silenced by the racism.
Ugle-Hagan, who was swamped by teammates on the ground after the goal, added a second major early in the second term with a tight-angled snap.
He bagged his third after a strong mark deep in attack and had four of the Dogs’ eight goals midway through the third term after a free-kick off the ball.
His fifth-goal, which equalled his career-best, was hammered home after the siren. The Dogs will attempt to level their season with their second victory against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Ugle-Hagan said he wanted to make a stand, but had not pre-planned the move.
“I knew it was 30 years since Nicky Winmar did that, but it just came in the moment. I didn’t know I was going to kick a goal tonight. The celebration just came with the game,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“I felt pretty proud going out there with all my mates who supported me through a tough week.
“To do that in front of everyone hopefully it makes a stance and hopefully people look back at it 30 years from now and say nothing (racism) has happened since.
“Hopefully no one cops anything I have been through.”
Ugle-Hagan said racism cuts deep.
“Players are getting sick of it, we are making a stance and we are calling it out and pointing it out and sorting them out,” he said.
“Those comments definitely hurt you as an individual.
“You get 100 compliments but one bad comment and you remember the bad comment.
He said his mother was incredibly proud and that it was hard to keep his emotions in check after booting his fifth goal after the siren.
“I did get a bit emotional, especially when all the boys ran over to me, it was a special moment. Not because I kicked five but obviously the week I have had,” he said.
“That moment out there was a bit emotional because they love me and it is so easy to see.
“She’s a proud mum.
“She has looked after me since I was a young boy, I have got four younger brothers underneath me.
“No one wants that to happen to any of their children.”
Luke Beveridge said he was “unbelievably proud” of his forward.
“I know how strong he is as a young fella, but as a young First Nations lad from down the district, Framlingham, he is made of some pretty stern stuff,” Beveridge said.
“To see him play so well in such tough circumstances is so uplifting.
“When you consider our connections and our love and respect for our indigenous brothers and sisters, I think at some point in time in the future we have got to dance with them rather than the prejudice which creeps in now and then.
“There is such a connection (in New Zealand with the Maoris and Polynesians) and we haven’t established that yet.
“It is a reminder we still have a long way to go.”
The AFL may address concerns over the turf after ground staff were required to try and mend a patch of grass which could be lifted up.
Marvel Stadium hosted a Harry Styles concert in the pre-season, which required repair work before Round 1.
Brisbane Lions’ speedster Charlie Cameron appeared hobbled by a groin complaint throughout the night, while Rory Lobb was substituted out of the game in the last term in his return from ankle surgery.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan coached from the bench in the tense final term after spending the first two games up in the coaches’ box.
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