Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s matchwinning four-goal effort towards Fremantle final weekend was one other large step in his evolution.
But the No.1 decide’s mentor Marcus Bontempelli wasn’t ready to label it the form of efficiency that might make the gun younger ahead the form of participant who was made to face up in finals.
Bulldogs captain Bontempelli helped his 21-year-old navigate a troublesome begin to his AFL profession and the advantages have gotten apparent with 20 objectives type 15 video games, together with his haul within the must-win conflict over the Dockers that might show essential in his group’s finals push.
Ugle-Hagan, who earnt an ideal 10 coaches votes for his efforts, additionally has a haul of 5 this yr and whereas Bontempelli stated his younger teammate was getting reward for effort, the subsequent step was the pursuit of “more and better”.
“The thing I have noticed is the consistency in his football. As a young player he was looking for that … I feel like that’s what had led him into his form,” Bontempelli stated on Monday.
“He‘s just worked so much harder on his forward craft, his fitness, how he can help the team – regardless of whether he’s kicking goals or not.
“I’m not taking any credit for his success other than, like I did when I was a young kid, you need someone to show you the way at different points when maybe you’re not quite sure.
“The next thing now is once your realise your capacity and what you can do, how do you keep repeating that and keep searching for more and better?”
That “more and better” might come within the finals, however Bontempelli didn’t need to single out Ugle-Hagan as a possible X-factor for his group.
“That’s too far off to forecast,” he stated.
“He’s already shown he has matchwinning abilities. He’s helped us win a couple of games in the past and this one (against Fremantle) was obviously quite significant. There have been other games he’s had a strong influence in.
“As a player you build your game around consistent behaviours, working hard throughout the game, and if those moments present themselves, hopefully we have a few players who have shown they can stand up.”
Bontempelli stated he was assured teammate Ed Richards might return to the Bulldogs’ defence from a severe hamstring harm for Friday’s showdown with Collingwood, who he stated he been “setting the standard” this season.
“He’s a good healer, he was a significant player for us before he got hurt,” Bontempelli stated.
“He completed his weekend session really well. I’m pretty sure if he’s available he’ll get a call up.”
Originally printed as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli lauds the rise of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
