Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan hopes his recreation of Nicky Winmar’s famous stance against racial abuse can help wipe out racism from the AFL.
Ugle-Hagan turned to the Marvel Stadium crowd after his first goal, lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin, mirroring Winmar’s iconic gesture.
It came almost 30 years to the day after Winmar stood up to racist abuse from Collingwood fans at Victoria Park in April 1993.
Winmar himself released a statement on Friday morning praising Ugle-Hagan’s stance and urging others to continue to call out racism wherever they see it.
I’m proud of Jamarra for standing up for himself. It’s up to the new generations to reinforce the stance I made back in 1993,” Winmar wrote.
“I’m still here, still involved with the issue, but it’s been 30 years now, it’s like a big relay race, time to pass on the baton.
“I spoke to Luke Beveridge today, to thank him for supporting Jamarra, and other Indigenous players at the Western Bulldogs. It’s a great club, that I respect. I was welcomed and felt supported when I played for them in 1999.
“Things are getting better, with increased awareness, and kids are getting educated in schools now about racism in sport and in society, which is great. There’s still a few who can’t control their negative attitudes, all we can do is keep supporting each other, and keep calling it out.
“I also want to congratulate Jamarra for his outstanding on-field performance – 5 goals, keep up the good work!
“Nicky Winmar. Still black and proud.”
Ugle-Hagan has endured a torrid time since being racially abused by fans during and after his side’s round-two loss to St Kilda.
But the 20-year-old Indigenous star responded in sensational fashion on Thursday night, equalling his career-best haul of five goals to steer the Bulldogs to a 14-point win over Brisbane.
“Back in the day they would’ve had it a lot worse but now players are getting sick of it and they’re making a stance,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“We’re calling them out and we’re sorting it out, and everyone’s getting behind our back nowadays.”
Earlier in the week, Ugle-Hagan’s mother Alice Ugle detailed the verbal abuse her son copped from the crowd last Saturday.
“Those comments definitely hurt you as an individual,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“You can hear a thousand compliments and then one bad comment you’re going to remember.
“But we’re making a stance and making an impact and hopefully we change and educate people who have no idea that racism’s not allowed and shouldn’t be a thing.”
Ugle-Hagan took time away from the club on Monday as he dealt with the situation.
But he returned to his Bulldogs’ “family” and accepted an invitation to present Indigenous teammate Arthur Jones with his club jumper ahead of the 19-year-old’s debut.
Ugle-Hagan, the 2020 No.1 draft pick, has played 25 games for the Bulldogs.
The AFL is investigating the incidents from the Round 2 contest and St Kilda have said the culprits will no longer be welcome at their games.
The Bulldogs, Saints and AFL all condemned the “harmful and abhorrent racist remarks” made against Ugle-Hagan.
The young star urged fans to call out racist behaviour to help stamp it out.
“I just want to see someone point them out instead of me having to contact the club and saying this happened,” Ugle-Hagan said.
“I’d rather someone in the (crowd) point it out and tell them, let them know that it’s not the right thing to say.
“That goes with any race, not just with Aboriginals and Indigenous boys and girls.”
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan celebrates with Aaron Naughton after kicking a goal. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has lamented his side’s lack of polish and inability to handle “finals-like” pressure in a frustrating defeat to the Western Bulldogs.
Dominant against Melbourne last week, the Lions were outgunned at the contest by the Bulldogs and inaccurate in front of goal.
The 10.7 (67) to 7.11 (53) defeat left them with a 1-2 record ahead of a huge home clash with premiership favourites Collingwood in round four.
“It was an honest effort by us but we didn’t play with any polish,” Fagan said.
“A part of that was to do with the Bulldogs’ pressure, but it was a high-pressure game. It was a finals-like game and lots of mistakes were made.
“I was really disappointed after the Port Adelaide performance (in round one) and tonight I’m disappointed, but not for the same reasons.”
The Bulldogs won a lopsided centre clearance count (12-4) to gain territory and were on top in contested possession (+16).
“That’s a fair reason why the Dogs won. They were able to win the contested ball when it went inside 50,” Fagan said.
“That’s definitely an area that we need to have a little bit of a look at.
“That’s contest by the forwards and it might be the way we delivered the ball. We certainly didn’t get it deep enough.”
Brisbane recruit Josh Dunkley had 23 disposals and four clearances in his first outing against the Bulldogs since forcing an off-season trade move.
The gun midfielder, who won the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest award last year before leaving, was jeered all night by Dogs fans.
“He didn’t play his greatest game but he was very competitive like he always is and had a real go,” Fagan said.
“Knowing Josh, he’d be disappointed with his game but he made a decent contribution and did some really courageous things to try and lift the team.”
Fagan was also disappointed about his side’s missed opportunities in attack, with key forward Joe Daniher one of the main culprits in booting 0.4 on the night.
“We practice all the time. He has his good days and his bad days,” Fagan said.
“We’d love him to be more accurate but he’ll just keep working away at it.”
The Lions’ loss has swiftly been slammed by pundits, with Fox Footy analyst David King suggesting the one-time premiership fancy may have been ‘worked out’ by rivals.
“Brisbane are a serious clearance team – that’s their profile. They set up to win clearances and dominate territory. If you can take that off them, they’re in trouble,” King said after the match.
“They’re in a bit of strife now, Brisbane. I think they’re getting worked out a little bit by the competition.
“Without Daniel Rich down back, they didn’t look like they could move the ball at all. There was no one prepared to take a big risk, and when they did, it looked like they weren’t on the same page.”
Hawthorn youngster Jai Serong has the heart condition pericarditis and will not return to the AFL for two months.
The 20-year-old younger brother of Fremantle vice-captain Caleb was diagnosed on Tuesday.
It is a potentially fatal condition that causes sharp chest pain.
Serong will be restricted to walking and stretching for the next 30 days while he recovers.
“We have been working closely with a specialist sports cardiologist to ensure Jai’s health is paramount to how we navigate this issue,” said Hawthorn doctor Liam West in a club statement.
“The cardiologist believes Jai developed pericarditis after a viral infection that didn’t show symptoms.
“Further tests will be required before Jai is cleared to begin a graded exercise program.
“Jai is no longer experiencing chest pain but is obviously disappointed that he will need a period of time out of training and match play.”
The Hawks drafted Serong in 2021 and he played three AFL games last season.
© AAP
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