‘Nothing short of superior’: Ugle-Hagan praised after iconic goal celebration

JAMARRA Ugle-Hagan was the star of the show as the Western Bulldogs secured their first win of the season on last Thursday night.

The 20-year-old booted five goals in a match-winning performance for the Dogs who scrapped their way over the Brisbane Lions by 14 points at Marvel Stadium.

It was a tough week for Ugle-Hagan after he was the subject of racial vilification at the St Kilda game last weekend.

The former number one draft pick kicked the first goal of the night and reminiscent of iconic Indigenous star Nicky Winmar in 1993, lifted his footy jumper and pointed to his skin.

Teammate, Caleb Daniel, spoke of his pride at seeing the talented youngster stand up so strongly after a difficult period.

“I’m so happy for ‘Marra’ to kick five after the week that he’s had,” Daniel said on SEN’s AFL Nation coverage. “It’s been unbelievable.

“It was obviously something you never want to be a part of. There’s no place for racism in general, in sport, in life.

“For him, we just throw our arms around him. We’re going to support him throughout his whole football journey, his life journey as well

“It was so amazing to see. It gives me tingles now thinking about it.

“I’m so incredibly proud of him to come in and play the way that he did, but the way that he held himself this week was nothing short of superior.”

Ugle-Hagan spoke impressively at the post-match press conference alongside coach Luke Beveridge.

He said he didn’t pre-plan the Winmar celebration but is now hoping his stance against racism has a major impact for years to come.

“I knew it was coming up to 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, so the celebration just came with it,” Ugle-Hagan said.

“I felt pretty proud going out there with all my mates that supported me through a tough week.

“And then to do that in front of everyone, hopefully it makes a stance and a moment. Hopefully people will look back on it 30 years from now and say then that nothing’s happened since.

“Hopefully nobody [else] cops anything that I’ve been through.”

It certainly was a memorable moment from a young man who simply shouldn’t have to deal with racial abuse.

Ugle-Hagan and the Dogs will look to make it two in a row when they meet Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

– BY ANDREW SLEVISON/ SEN