Young Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan says he'd love to repay the club that helped him develop into one of the AFL's most exciting tall forwards, with the 2024 off-contract player keen to potentially "win a couple of flags" in the blue, white and red as he looks to cement his long-term future at the Kennel.
Ugle-Hagan joined the Dogs as the first overall selection at the 2020 National Draft as a graduate of the club's Next Generation Academy, with the South Warrnambool product able to remain with the Bulldogs prior to the AFL's recent draft changes for bids on NGA talent.
The Dogs' priority access to the athletic key forward saw Ugle-Hagan extend his time with the club, having been part of their development pathway program since the age of 15.
2023 was Ugle-Hagan's third season at AFL level, with the 21-year-old playing all 23 games to boot a return of 35 goals, with his contested marking and maturity on show as he enjoyed a career-best campaign to date.
Next year looms as a critical one for the prized pup given he is unsigned for 2025 and expected to gain high levels of rival interest if he remains off-contract in the later stages of next season.
While suitors from both near and far are anticipated to come calling, Ugle-Hagan told 7 Newsย he hopes to reach premiership success at Whitten Oval in the years to come and "definitely" wants to stay with the Bulldogs.
"I love the Dogs and they've looked after me since I was 15," the young forward said.
"I have always loved to give back to the club. We've got such a good opportunity to win a couple of flags together, we've got a really talented list.
"But yeah, [I'm keen to] definitely stay at the Dogs."
Ugle-Hagan joins the likes of Tim English and Bailey Smith in being off-contract next year, with the Dogs looking to make their way through an extensive list of unsigned stars over the next 12 months.
The club was able to secure the services of Ugle-Hagan's partnering tall forward Aaron Naughton until 2032 in what was a major retention coup for list manager Sam Power this year.
Ugle-Hagan could be in line for a breakout year before signing on the dotted line, having almost doubled his season goals tally from last year in 2023.
The emerging forward understands he has some time to reach the peak of his powers, but is still putting in the work to make sure 2024 is his best yet.
"I'm not at my peak yet, that's just the starting point," Ugle-Hagan said.
"I'm going to go out there and perform. Hopefully I've out-trained [my opponents] this off-season and I'm just going to do the magic on the field when the season comes."
Ugle-Hagan has played a total of 45 games for the Bulldogs, booting 60 goals in his three seasons with the club.
