Jamarra Ugle-Hagan: Western Bulldogs AFL star

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is one of the stars of the Western Bulldogs and is creating waves in the Australian Football League (AFL). Being of Noongar-Gunditjmara heritage, Ugle-Hagan is fast becoming one of the league’s Indigenous stars. Ugle-Hagan was picked No.1 in the 2020 AFL Draft and has been designated as a special young talent since achieving this dream status. In this article, we will explore Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s AFL journey, his achievements and success, and why Australian fans admire him. 

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan explained

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is an elite athlete representing the Western Bulldogs in Australian rules football. He is a very talented key forward and was the first pick in the 2020 draft. Since his debut in 2021, Ugle-Hagan has played 67 senior games for a total of 103 goals.

Important highlights about him    

• Complete name: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan 
• Nickname: ‘Marra JU-H 
• Date and place of birth: 4 April 2003, Framlingham, Victoria
• Position: Key Forward
• Team: Western Bulldogs of the Australian Football League 
• Height and weight: 197 cm or 1.97 m ( 6 ft 6 in) tall and 91 kg ( 201 lb) heavy
• Outstanding achievements: He was the first No.1 draft selection for the Bulldogs for the first time since 2003 and the second native player to be selected first.

He is renowned for his exceptional skills and first rose to fame for his ability in the NAB League for the Oakleigh Chargers and South Warrnambool.

Early career and groundbreaking performances 

Jamarra was exceptional from the beginning. In the early years of his career, he successfully gained a prominent reputation in the AFL community and nationwide. Through standout performances on the field, he gained notoriety amongst other players. Before joining Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League, his original teams were East Warrnambool and South Warrnambool.

• Debut: He made his AFL debut in Round 17 of 2021 against the Sydney Swans. 
• Progress: He experienced great improvement in his performance in 2022-2024, with some highlights including selection for the AFL Rising Star in 2022, selection for the 22Under22 team in 2023 and 2024, and finishing as the Bulldogs’ leading goal kicker in 2024 with 43 goals.
• Playing style: He plays as a full-forward who can kick goals and has also shown the capability to help win games and stay consistently steady. 

Key statistics and major accolades

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has emerged as an exciting and talented player in the AFL. He made significant accomplishments through his impactful performances on the field. His phenomenal achievements are mentioned below: 

• 2021: He made his debut and played a limited game this year. He scored a few goals with no significant eminent recognitions. 
• 2022: He showed a more stable appearance in the games this year. He scored average target goals and was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award. 
• 2023: He showed his skills in the games throughout this year. He reached the 35-goal score and was selected for the 22Under22 team. 
• 2024: He played 22 matches this year and was nominated as the key goalkicker of the Bulldogs with 43 goals. He was again selected for the 22Under22 and also showed an emerging status. 

In this way, he continued to prove himself as a dynamic talent.     

Facing the storm: Ugle-Hagan’s mental health journey   

In 2025, Jamarra experienced many off-field issues, but to me, the most concerning had to be around the mental health aspect. Here is a summary of some of his mental health journey: 

• Leave of absence: In April 2025, he decided to step away from the Bulldogs to focus on his health. 
• Frank about struggles: He has been quite frank about his health struggles, as he has done interviews, podcasts, and media appearances. He has candidly discussed having suicidal thoughts, feelings of loneliness, being a homebody, and escaping into football. 
• Help and support: He engaged in an alternate retreat, which is situated in Northern New South Wales, for the purpose of prioritising his health and well-being.
• Re-engagement: In June 2025, he found his way back to a club environment at the Bulldogs, kept contact with his adversaries as well as his teammates, and attended training to aid his reintegration. 

Bulldogs’ path for Ugle-Hagan    

Jamarra expressed his heartfelt feelings about playing and staying with the Bulldogs club apart from his current contract. 

• Contract status: He made a contract with the Western Bulldogs by the end of the 2026 season. 
• Wish to stay: He openly describes his feelings to stay with the Western Bulldog exceeding his contract, win a premiership, and make a comeback. 
• Coach’s position: The coach of the Bulldogs, Luke Beveridge, has said that Jamarra is ‘our player’ and the club pledges to support him, an idea underscored that he is ‘a long way off’ making a comeback.  

However, the overall sentiment of Luke Beveridge was not sure about Jamarra’s imminent future with the club.     

Impact on team and mental health awareness 

His teammates highly supported Jamarra’s comeback. His medical journey highlights the significance of mental health awareness in sports. 

• Camaraderie: His teammates highly support him and his comeback. He has received positive feedback, and many of his teammates have encouraged him. 
• Presentation: Because of the Indigenous player and the top selection of the draft, he is emblematic of importance. His perspectives on mental health stimulated wider discussions among the fans, within the AFL, and in Indigenous circles.  
• Mental health in sport: The story of Ugle Hagan illustrates how a high-level athlete can be influenced by issues of mental health. His story also highlights the essential nature of teams and league support systems, wellness retreats, breaks, and the support of teammates. 

Therefore, his story occupies great importance. 

Why he resonates with Aussie fans 

Ugle Hagan is a character who has touched many lives amongst Australians. His likability, coupled with his football skills, has turned him into a fan favourite for footy fans. The following, however, are the reasons why Aussie fans identify with him:

• Footy Icon: Ugle Hagan represents the combination of pure talent and promise, along with the hardship of lofty ambitions within the AFL. He also appeals to the audience of sports fans who understand the pressure of elite sports. 
• Indigenous representation: His Aboriginal Noongar-Gunditjmara heritage is significant in a sport that is now beginning to acknowledge the importance of diversity and cultural recognition, and having inclusion in the game. 
• Advocacy for mental health: His frankness goes a long way towards destroying stereotypes. People in Australia, through their journey, would not find it far from what he is going through (anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness) and would feel empathy for that experience. 
• The tough stories are attractive: Australians have quite a bit of enthusiasm generally for athletes, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally, who have been able to recover from an injury. There is a natural curiosity, hopeful expectancy behind that of Ugle Hagan’s return.

Consequently, he connects with Australia’s followers.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is not just a talented forward for the Western Bulldogs; he is a symbol of talent, resilience, and perseverance. His story also includes the challenges of being a star and mental health difficulties. His story pays respect to the fact that, at the same time, humanity exists as a person in front of athletic talent. With the right people around him and the right perspective and mindset to be calm and collected, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan can retain being the best version of himself for the football club and community.