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Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had just seven disposals on his highly anticipated AFL debut against Sydney but remains in the selection mix.
John Northey had a theory that every new AFL player should automatically be picked for a second game the week following his debut in order to help him acclimatise to the big league.
It was an idea that saw Luke Beveridge – then an 18-year-old prospect under respected Melbourne coach Northey – once gifted a senior game that he admits now, with a wry smile more than three decades later, he did not earn.
But don’t expect the Western Bulldogs mentor to take the same approach with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after the No.1 draft pick’s long-awaited debut in a surprise loss to Sydney.
“I don’t really mirror that philosophy that Swooper (Northey) had,” Beveridge said post-match on Sunday, turning his attention towards an important meeting with Gold Coast this week.
“We need to make sure we field a team that’s going to win the game and has got enough experience in it as well, so we’ll wait and see on Marra.”
Ugle-Hagan had just seven disposals against Sydney as part of a Bulldogs forward line that Beveridge said looked “dysfunctional” ahead of the ball.
The 19-year-old entered the match under an intense spotlight, lining up at the opposite end to Swans superstar Lance Franklin – the man to whom he has been likened from a young age.
Ugle-Hagan was competitive at times, spilt a few marks, provided one score assist and had two early shots in a goal-mouth scramble that resulted in a smothered kick and a rushed behind.
“It’s probably one of those ones that a lot of the new players have where you get involved a few times but don’t quite capitalise on some of your involvements and you’ll be better for it next time,” Beveridge said.
“At times he looked like he was going to threaten in the air and then at ground level he probably overran a few that he’d normally sweep up.
“It’s good for him to get the monkey off his back and then work towards, like some of our other younger guys too, building towards some AFL experience and being influential players in a team that aspires to be at the top.”
As he stewed on the loss to Sydney, which saw the Bulldogs relinquish top spot on the ladder, Beveridge reserved the right to not make a selection call on Ugle-Hagan until later in the week.
But Aaron Naughton’s expected return from a week out because of concussion could see his fellow key forward squeezed out of the side.
Naughton has kicked 33 goals in 15 games this season and would add both experience and firepower as the Bulldogs look to bounce back against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
© AAP
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