When reflecting on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s 2022 campaign, it’s hard to look past that goal against Melbourne.
His match-sealer from outside 50m in the dying seconds made him the hero, which was impressively one of three goals for the quarter and part of a five-goal haul for the 20-year-old.
A career-best output to go with 10 disposals, five inside 50s and six marks, Ugle-Hagan was subsequently named the round 19 Rising Star.
He spoke candidly the following week about his second year in the league.
“I’m out there having fun and enjoying my footy again,” Ugle-Hagan told media.
“I found it a bit hard last year to find the fun in football – I was expecting way too much from myself as a player.
“Coming into a top-two team (as the number one draft pick) I didn’t expect to play straight away, but that was hard to realise at the time.”
That performance – in just his 17th game at AFL level - capped off a breakout 2022 season for Ugle-Hagan, managing 18 goals, 17 contested marks and 33 inside 50s from 17 games.
And now entering his third AFL preseason, the sky is the limit for the Framlingham young gun.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – 2022 Stats
Total goals: 18
