Bulldogs gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wipes away tears in devastating interview

Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wiped away tears in an emotional moment on camera just days after he was racially abused.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wiped away tears. Photo: Kayo.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wiped away tears when interviewed after an emotional win over the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs star had one of his best games in the AFL, finishing with five goals, as his team held on for a scrappy 10.7 (67) to 7.11 (53) win at Marvel Stadium.

However, the memorable night will be somewhat tinged with sadness, coming just days after the 20-year-old was racially abused by multiple fans during and after his team’s loss to St Kilda on Saturday.

Ugle-Hagan made a powerful display after kicking the first goal of the match — channelling Nicky Winmar’s iconic stand against racism.

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Ugle-Hagan turned to the crowd, lifted up his jumper and pointed to his stomach — a perfect response to the racist abuse he suffered last week.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan took a stand. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Ugle-Hagan was granted time away from the football club this week as he struggled to deal with the situation.

The emotion of the moment was all too much for him when speaking to Channel 7’s Daisy Thomas after the match.

“I wanted to make a stand and show my presence. Obviously what happened last weekend was a pretty hard time,” he said of his brave act.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wiped away tears. Photo: Kayo.

“Just going out there and proving the point. I’m just a boy trying to play some football. It’s the same as the other Indigenous boys.”

His voice then broke and he stepped away from the microphone while trying to regain his composure.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli then stepped in to declare he was “proud” of how Ugle-Hagan had responded this week.

Bulldogs teammates waited for Ugle-Hagan to lead them off the field before they walked into the dressing room to sing their team song.

All our love to Jamarra ❤️#AFLDogsLionspic.twitter.com/yl2XOmgry6

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 30, 2023

It has been almost 30 years since Winmar famously turned to spectators to proudly show off the colour of his skin after being racially abused by members of the crowd.

Ugle-Hagan was widely praised across social media.

His teammates also came from everywhere to celebrate with the 20-year-old and smothered him in a group hug.

Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan said it would be sweet for Ugle-Hagan after “the disgraceful behaviour of some last week towards him”.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan let the crowd know about it. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

The Bulldogs earlier this week condemned the “harmful and abhorrent racist remarks” that were aimed at Ugle-Hagan.

“Racism of any kind does not belong in our game, nor in our society. We cannot tolerate it,” the statement read.

“Comments like these are extremely upsetting and cause significant hurt and harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They are said to intentionally harm, and we continue to be confronted by them as a community.

“We’re saddened by the constant need to reinforce the negative impact this has on the individuals concerned, and all First Nations people.”

Ugle-Hagan is the Western Bulldogs’ prized number one draft pick from 2020. He’s played 24 games for the club since making his debut against Sydney in Round 17, 2021.