Western Bulldogs youngster Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has admitted he walked into his debut season “a step back” from the rest of his cohort.
Ugle-Hagan entered the AFL as one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory after being selected first overall in the 2020 draft, but struggled in his first year.
The 19-year-old managed just five games in his first season and was not awarded with a debut until Round 17, before he was dropped prior to the Dogs’ finals campaign.
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With veteran forward Josh Bruce to miss the start of the 2022 season due to an ACL tear, Ugle-Hagan is working with Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli in a bid to start his second year on the right foot.
“At the end of the day it’s who works the hardest and who did the work even before you walk into the season,” he told 9News Melbourne.
“I reckon I walked in with obviously a step back from everyone else.
“You take [the relationship with Bontempelli] for granted a bit,” he added.
“You don’t see him as ‘The Bont’; you see him as your best mate and your older brother, and he just pushes me so much. I want that spot to be mine, but at the end of the day it’s about who works harder.
“That’s why I’m working with Marcus. Last year I wasn’t happy with my performance throughout the season, but I obviously know I can be better.”