Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
https://www.afl.com.au/news/390425/p...hance-standing
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Bulldogs' Academy prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan boosts chances of being the top pick at this year's draft
ALTHOUGH the under-18 season did not get to start officially in Victoria, it hasn't stopped Jamarra Ugle-Hagan from strengthening his claims as the possible No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick this year.
There is uncertainty about the format of this year's draft intake through the game's hiatus during the COVID-19 outbreak, but there is no doubt on Ugle-Hagan's abilities after he blitzed the recent NAB League testing day.
In results which could become more important as the season continues, particularly if a shortened campaign affects the place of the NAB AFL Draft Combine, the key forward was outstanding.
The Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy prospect showed all of his athletic brilliance across the testing day.
"He couldn’t been more impressive," said national talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan.
"He won the running vertical jump test overall with his 93cm leap in the elite category, but still a little short of West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui who is the record holder at national Combine level with a 102cm jump recorded back in 2008.
"But Ugle-Hagan was then the quickest player recorded over the five-metre sprint (0.997 seconds) as he ran his 20 metres in a sharp 2.945 seconds.
"That's outstanding for a young man who is 194.3cm. He then capped off his athletic profile with a 21.3 Yo-Yo test result – a strong indication of his speed and endurance combination which increases his potential on-field versatility."
For comparison, last year's No.1 pick, midfield gun Matt Rowell, completed the Yo-Yo at the same level 21.3 at the 2019 Combine.
Ugle-Hagan was used as a defender in stages during the Oakleigh Chargers' practice matches but is the leading key forward in this year's draft crop, having booted 24 goals in the NAB League last year from nine games.
The Dogs have first call on the Indigenous prospect, who hails from the Hampden region.
Other players were able to push their talents at the testing day, with Calder Cannons midfielder Jackson Cardillo taking out the 20-metre sprint, running it in 2.88 seconds.
Geelong Falcons pair Noah Gadsby, a wingman, and midfielder Charlie Lazzaro were also standouts, with Gadsby winning the Yo-Yo aerobic test (level 22.1) and Lazzaro taking out the agility test (7.79 seconds).
"Gadsby is a silver medallist at under-17s level in Victorian School Sports over 800 metres and he recorded the same impressive score in the Yo-Yo as another former Falcon, now NAB AFL Rising Star, Sam Walsh," Sheehan said.
"Lazzaro’s agility run is only .02 seconds outside Fremantle's Stephen Hill's record of 7.77 seconds set in 2008 and was a real eye-catcher. He is an impressive inside midfielder who averaged 20 disposals in eight matches for the Falcons last year."
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
He could initially play as a 'pressure forward' with those speed results and his willingness to tackle hard. Then do the miraculous for fun. Great for him to test like this fter the years of huge investment our club has put into him.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
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Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
He could initially play as a 'pressure forward' with those speed results and his willingness to tackle hard. Then do the miraculous for fun. Great for him to test like this fter the years of huge investment our club has put into him.
The small forward while he learns to be a KPP
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
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Originally Posted by
bornadog
The small forward while he learns to be a KPP
Sounds good to me.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Wonder how he compares to the King brothers (athletic profile) and for those that have seen more of him, are the comparisons to Buddy founded?
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
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Originally Posted by
The Bulldogs Bite
Wonder how he compares to the King brothers (athletic profile) and for those that have seen more of him, are the comparisons to Buddy founded?
Doesn't move with the cat like agility and power of peak Buddy, but that may be something Buddy developed into as he matured and may be something Marra develops too, as he is very long/lanky. Marra's leap and hands are much better than Buddy's ever were.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Bulldogs Bite
Wonder how he compares to the King brothers (athletic profile) and for those that have seen more of him, are the comparisons to Buddy founded?
Max was out. So with Ben King: JUH is a little quicker than King in the 5m and 20m (if JUH was in that testing he'd be equal 5th, pushing King to 10th - JUH just behind Rozee & Rankine), and JUH is on the leaderboard for leap, yo-yo etc, where Ben King was not on the leaderboard. Athletically speaking, JUH hs got Ben covered already. But JUH still has another 7 months of fitness improvement until the October combine to better these numbers.
With Buddy, JUH is a much better mark and aerial threat with the same size and athletic abilities. Check out any of his highlight videos.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
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Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
Max was out. So with Ben King: JUH is a little quicker than King in the 5m and 20m (if JUH was in that testing he'd be equal 5th, pushing King to 10th - JUH just behind Rozee & Rankine), and JUH is on the leaderboard for leap, yo-yo etc, where Ben King was not on the leaderboard. Athletically speaking, JUH hs got Ben covered already. But JUH still has another 7 months of fitness improvement until the October combine to better these numbers.
With Buddy, JUH is a much better mark and aerial threat with the same size and athletic abilities. Check out any of his highlight videos.
From the footage I've watched Marra is a natural foootballer. Much better overhead than Buddy but he doesn't have that cat like ability to hold his feet or spring back the way Buddy does.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Yeah I don't get the Buddy comparison, just never saw it.
If anything he plays like... Naughton. Quick, huge leap and excellent hands. Gets separation well and is a genuine one-grabber. Just seems the type of player defenders absolutely hate playing on.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Is a tall Jeremy Howe perhaps a better comparison than Buddy?
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
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Originally Posted by
hujsh
Is a tall Jeremy Howe perhaps a better comparison than Buddy?
I was thinking he's a bit like a taller Darryl White. Wiry, athletically gifted, big leap and great hands.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
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Originally Posted by
Axe Man
I was thinking he's a bit like a taller Darryl White. Wiry, athletically gifted, big leap and great hands.
That's a good comparison.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Axe Man
I was thinking he's a bit like a taller Darryl White. Wiry, athletically gifted, big leap and great hands.
Looking at a highlights package I can see the comparison pretty clearly. Good call
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Gee now you got me. I LOVED darryl White.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Axe Man
I was thinking he's a bit like a taller Darryl White. Wiry, athletically gifted, big leap and great hands.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
Oh a 6'4 Cyril Rioli. That's nice.
Re: Possible No.1 pick blitzes testing to enhance standing
When he has he ball in open play the Buddy comparisons are reasonable as he's super quick and agile for his height and has a pronounced left foot style. He's an altogether different player on the lead.
