Prized pup Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has noted he still has work to do on his development as a key forward in the AFL, stating his journey in the league is "a marathon not a sprint".

In his 17th career game, Ugle-Hagan enjoyed a 'coming of age' outing against reigning premiers Melbourne, playing a pivotal role in the Dogs' come-from-behind win.

The 2020 top pick booted a game-high five goals against the Demons, including a scintillating sealer from outside 50 to send a dagger through the hearts of Melbourne fans.

After a sporadic run with selection and persistent unwelcome attention from the media, Ugle-Hagan's performance was an outing many had hoped would occur in the near future.

But the young Bulldog isn't getting ahead of himself, telling Channel 7ย he has a long road ahead to reach the level expectations many have thrust upon him.

"It was incredible," Ugle-Hagan said on the win. "Obviously proud of the boys for getting the win.

"It just came my way and I just finished off my work.

"[I've] got work to do still with my kicking, but my marking and everything's starting to come a bit more. That's obviously from progress from being in the gym and development as a forward.

JAMARRA UGLE-HAGAN
Forward
Bulldogs
ROUND 19 STATS
5
Goals
6
Marks
10
Disposals

"I'm working with Brucey (Josh Bruce) and Aaron Naughton, has helped with my game and make me a better player.

"...I'm just gonna take little steps at a time.

"There's gonna be hard runs in the in the way, but it's a marathon not a sprint.

"I'm not here to dominate straight away, it's going to come if I do the work."

A catalyst in Ugle-Hagan's development was working alongside skipper Marcus Bontempelli across the pre-season, which has garnered promising results in the young forward's second campaign at the Kennel.

The 20-year-old lauded his captain's influence after his breakout performance on Saturday night, while noting he "wasn't ready" to be part of last year's season decider.

"It was massive," he said of Bontempelli's help.

"If you see my role last year, where I was, there was a massive gap for my improvement.

"I missed out on the grand final, I just wasn't ready.

"This year it's got me more games so I've doubled my games, which is probably the best thing.

"But yeah, all credit to him at the moment."

Ugle-Hagan's fifth goal of the game has many quickly drawing comparisons to Swans veteran and AFL great Lance Franklin, who had been listed as a close comparison to Ugle-Hagan during his development as a top AFL draft prospect.

Ahead of what was a breakout night for the young gun, Ugle-Hagan revealed he watched highlights of Franklin prior to Saturday night's victory.

"You wouldn't believe this, but I was watching Lance Franklin highlights before my game," he laughed.

"So I watched probably 30 minutes before I came in."

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was ecstatic to see his young spearhead step up to the occasion as both Naughton and Bruce were negated by Melbourne's rearguard.

Beveridge highlighted the performance post-match, before stressing the need to bring Ugle-Hagan "back to earth" before next week.

"We've got to acknowledge his contribution to the win, especially the way he finished the game off with it on the line," Beveridge said.

"Steven May was having a pretty significant night, and our other key forwards weren't necessarily getting it too easily and having their most outstanding nights.

"So, for the youngest and emerging of the trio, to play the sort of game โ€“ Saturday night lights against the Demons โ€“ was sensational.

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"We'll celebrate that and then bring him back to earth really, really quickly, because there's a bit to come up ahead."

The Round 19 win sees the Dogs leap into eighth on the ladder with a record of 10 wins and eight losses.

They'll face the top-placed Geelong next Saturday night in a trip to Kardinia Park.