Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wiped away tears when interviewed after an emotional win over the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night time.
The Bulldogs star had certainly one of his greatest video games within the AFL, ending with 5 objectives, as his group held on for a scrappy 10.7 (67) to 7.11 (53) win at Marvel Stadium.
Nonetheless, the memorable night time shall be considerably tinged with disappointment, coming simply days after the 20-year-old was racially abused by a number of followers throughout and after his group’s loss to St Kilda on Saturday.
Ugle-Hagan made a robust show after kicking the primary objective of the match — channelling Nicky Winmar’s iconic stand towards racism.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports activities. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
Ugle-Hagan turned to the gang, lifted up his jumper and pointed to his abdomen — an ideal response to the racist abuse he suffered final week.
Ugle-Hagan was granted time away from the soccer membership this week as he struggled to cope with the scenario.
The emotion of the second was all an excessive amount of for him when chatting with Channel 7’s Daisy Thomas after the match.
“I wished to make a stand and present my presence. Clearly what occurred final weekend was a fairly onerous time,” he mentioned of his courageous act.
“Simply going on the market and proving the purpose. I’m only a boy making an attempt to play some soccer. It’s the identical as the opposite Indigenous boys.”
His voice then broke and he stepped away from the microphone whereas making an attempt 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 steer them off the sector earlier than they walked into the dressing room to sing their group track.
It has been virtually 30 years since Winmar famously turned to spectators to proudly exhibit the color of his pores and skin after being racially abused by members of the gang.
Ugle-Hagan was broadly praised throughout social media.
His teammates additionally got here from all over the place to have fun with the 20-year-old and smothered him in a gaggle hug.
Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan mentioned it might be candy for Ugle-Hagan after “the disgraceful behaviour of some final week in direction of him”.
The Bulldogs earlier this week condemned the “dangerous and abhorrent racist remarks” that have been aimed toward Ugle-Hagan.
“Racism of any type doesn’t belong in our sport, nor in our society. We can’t tolerate it,” the assertion learn.
“Feedback like these are extraordinarily upsetting and trigger vital harm and hurt for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks. They’re mentioned to deliberately hurt, and we proceed to be confronted by them as a group.
“We’re saddened by the fixed want to bolster the unfavorable affect this has on the people involved, and all First Nations folks.”
Ugle-Hagan is the Western Bulldogs’ prized primary draft decide from 2020. He’s performed 24 video games for the membership since making his debut towards Sydney in Spherical 17, 2021.
