Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wiped away tears when interviewed after an emotional win over the Brisbane Lions on Thursday evening.
The Bulldogs star had certainly one of his greatest video games within the AFL, ending with 5 targets, as his workforce held on for a scrappy 10.7 (67) to 7.11 (53) win at Marvel Stadium.
Nevertheless, the memorable evening will likely be considerably tinged with unhappiness, coming simply days after the 20-year-old was racially abused by a number of followers throughout and after his workforce’s loss to St Kilda on Saturday.
Ugle-Hagan made a strong show after kicking the primary aim of the match — channelling Nicky Winmar’s iconic stand in opposition to racism.
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Ugle-Hagan turned to the gang, lifted up his jumper and pointed to his abdomen — an ideal response to the racist abuse he suffered final week.
Ugle-Hagan was granted time away from the soccer membership this week as he struggled to cope with the state of affairs.
The emotion of the second was all an excessive amount of for him when talking to Channel 7’s Daisy Thomas after the match.
“I wished to make a stand and present my presence. Clearly what occurred final weekend was a fairly laborious time,” he stated of his courageous act.
“Simply going on the market and proving the purpose. I’m only a boy making an attempt to play some soccer. It’s the identical as the opposite Indigenous boys.”
His voice then broke and he stepped away from the microphone whereas making an attempt to regain his composure.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli then stepped in to declare he was “proud” of how Ugle-Hagan had responded this week.
Bulldogs teammates waited for Ugle-Hagan to guide them off the sphere earlier than they walked into the dressing room to sing their workforce track.
It has been nearly 30 years since Winmar famously turned to spectators to proudly showcase the color of his pores and skin after being racially abused by members of the gang.
Ugle-Hagan was extensively praised throughout social media.
His teammates additionally got here from all over the place to rejoice with the 20-year-old and smothered him in a gaggle hug.
Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan stated it might be candy for Ugle-Hagan after “the disgraceful behaviour of some final week in direction of him”.
The Bulldogs earlier this week condemned the “dangerous and abhorrent racist remarks” that had been geared toward Ugle-Hagan.
“Racism of any type doesn’t belong in our recreation, nor in our society. We can not tolerate it,” the assertion learn.
“Feedback like these are extraordinarily upsetting and trigger important damage and hurt for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. They’re stated to deliberately hurt, and we proceed to be confronted by them as a neighborhood.
“We’re saddened by the fixed want to bolster the adverse influence this has on the people involved, and all First Nations individuals.”
Ugle-Hagan is the Western Bulldogs’ prized primary draft decide from 2020. He’s performed 24 video games for the membership since making his debut in opposition to Sydney in Spherical 17, 2021.
Initially printed as Bulldogs gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wipes away tears in devastating interview
