Senior coach Luke Beveridge liked what he saw from emerging forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan on Friday afternoon, but says there’s no rush for the number one pick to play at AFL level.

The 18-year-old kicked five goals in a VFL practice match against Collingwood and competed strongly across four quarters with Beveridge watching on.

“He did some impressive things,” Beveridge said.

“It was the first time that he’s played at the level where he’s probably started to really show his strengths and his gifts. That was fantastic for him and us.”

Last year’s number one draft pick didn’t play a game of footy in his draft year, due to Covid-19.

But he’s settled in at the Kennel seamlessly and is getting back into the swing of the on-field side of things.

“Last year I didn’t play footy at all, so just getting back into the swing of things is tough because everyone’s fighting for the same spot,” Ugle-Hagan said after his five-goal performance.

“I’ve definitely settled in – the boys are family already.

“Since day one – even since I walked in two years ago, three years ago (in the NGA program) – the older boys and their leadership, the younger boys, it’s just a big family. I love it at the Kennel.”

Beveridge said Ugle-Hagan still had plenty of room to grow and develop, with the focus for him on getting through games, feeling comfortable and then stepping up to AFL level when he’s ready.

“It will all depend on his ability to get through games,” Beveridge said.

“He’s not playing on a Jordan Roughead or a Darcy Moore or a Jeremy Howe, he’s playing on a reasonably good player at state league level.

“We’ve got to make sure he’s ready. Next week, we’ll have (Tom) Barrass and (Jeremy) McGovern and these types.

“Is he ready for that? I don’t know. We can’t throw him to the wolves, we’ve got to set him up to succeed and he showed some great signs (on Friday).”