West Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan reveals messages of support from fellow No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is in exclusive company as a No.1 draft pick and another of that group has offered the Western Bulldogs forward his support.

Reborn Swan Paddy McCartin has offered his support for fellow No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as the Bulldog wallows in the VFL waiting for his next senior opportunity.

McCartin understands all too well the spotlight that comes with being the top player in the draft, including heavy scrutiny on his performance as a key forward at St Kilda before concussions threatened his career.

He went more than three years between AFL games but is now thriving as an intercept defender at Sydney, alongside his younger brother Tom, and perfectly placed to be a sounding board for Ugle-Hagan.

Ugle-Hagan, 20, has kicked 11 goals in as many senior appearances since the Western Bulldogs matched Adelaide’s bid at No.1 in the 2020 draft.

But he is back at second-tier level developing his craft after playing the first six matches this year, with McCartin – a close friend of Bulldog and ex-Saint Josh Bruce – contacting him after the clubs’ round 3 clash.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan feels he is getting close to becoming a regular senior footballer. Picture: Getty Images

The No.1 tag has cut down the likes of Jack Watts, Tom Boyd and McCartin but Ugle-Hagan continues to wear it as a badge of honour.

“(McCartin) just looked after me with a few messages, saying he’s there for me and to ‘Message me if you ever need’,” Ugle-Hagan said.

“It’s a challenging role to accept (being No.1) but it’s great to know that someone else on another football team understands my position and understands what we go through.

“It does get to you a bit here and there, but when I’m on the footy field, you just forget everything. I try to feed off it to improve my game and improve myself off the field as well.”

Ugle-Hagan would love to play in the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, admitting he was “definitely not” a patient person despite even his grandmother reminding him of his tender age.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan appreciates the support fellow No.1 draftee Paddy McCartin offered him. Picture: Getty Images

“I want to be out there, 100 per cent, running out with my mates and my brothers,” he said.

“It is hard to be patient, but my time will come and obviously I’m only 20 years old, so I’ve got plenty of footy left (but) probably the hardest bit to accept is that I’m not there yet – but I’m coming.”

Competing harder and more often during matches is Ugle-Hagan’s top priority as he hunts a senior recall, one he hopes will come with an extended stay.

“I feel like I’m going all right,” he said.

“There’s still room for me to improve with consistency, but also my strength on the ground and just competing, but I’m learning every day at training and getting better, which is good.”

Originally published as West Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan reveals messages of support from fellow No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin