Number one draft pick and new Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan admits he was still fighting off nerves on Wednesday’s draft night, despite knowing he’d end up in the red, white and blue. 

The 18-year-old’s name was initially called out by Adelaide, before the Bulldogs pounced to match the bid on their Next Generation Academy prospect. 

“I didn’t expect anything – I got out of the car still nervous, and was probably nearly about to spew,” Ugle-Hagan told SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning.

“I don’t know why (I was so nervous), with the position I was in, I knew I was going to Footscray but it was just hard to sink in. 

“Obviously I was nervous before the name got read out, but I had all my family and mates down there at the pub which was unreal.” 

Ugle-Hagan spent two weeks training with the Bulldogs prior to the 2020 season, living with captain Marcus Bontempelli and Josh Dunkley while he was away from his Framlingham home.

“As soon as I walked into the doors on my first day (training with the group), I had Jason Johannisen come up and introduce himself to me – I expected the boys were going to be like ‘top dogs’, but obviously they’re not and are all good blokes,” he said.

“As soon as you walk in the club, everyone gets (around you) - even the staff. 

“I was an Essendon supporter for close to 17 years, but after walking into the Bulldogs for those two weeks, as soon as I left I said to my parents ‘Bloody hell, I want to go for this club.’”

Ugle-Hagan, along with fellow draftees Dominic Bedendo and Lachlan McNeil, will officially start their careers as Bulldogs next week, when they join their first-to-fourth year teammates at training.