Rivals fume

[GVGjr]

Western Bulldogs set to secure ‘generational talent’ Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at a huge draft discount



Clubs are in uproar over the generous concessions which will give the Western Bulldogs a 20 per cent discount on the best underage player in the country.

Gun forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is widely considered this year’s top draft prospect and is headed to the kennel as part of the club’s academy system.

A talent spotter on Wednesday said the speedy 195cm goal kicker was “a generational talent” who had “freakish ability to put separation on his opponents in the forward half”.

But, despite an AFL review last year which backed-in the next generation academy system as it stands, there is increasing angst in club land about the discount apportioned to the multicultural and indigenous players being selected through each clubs’ NGA zone.

One club official said the Dogs had hit the “draft jackpot” with guaranteed and discounted access to the indigenous Ugle-Hagan in the first round.

“This kid does it all, and when he puts on 20kg in an AFL club environment, look out,” the talent expert said.

“It is clear the system really needs to change because it is so compromised.

“Jamarra has played footy his whole life – that is not what the next generation academies were designed for.”

Clubs contacted by the Herald Sun said it was time the league changed the criteria so either the next generation academy discount didn’t apply to the top youngsters in the elite pathway system, or the guaranteed access was scrapped in the first round altogether.

Ugle-Hagan, for example, is a stand-out for Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup and attends Scotch College. The 17-year-old is originally from Warrnambool which falls into the Dogs’ catchment.

An overwhelming majority of clubs contacted said the AFL should eliminate the discount if the player is an outstanding talent and is taken in the first or second-round of the draft, despite having a multicultural family background.

Clubs can enlist a player into their next generation academy if they have an indigenous or multicultural family background and fall into their zone.

“The criteria, or how a player qualifies for the NGA, is completely flawed,” another official said.

“The whole purpose was to grow the talent pool and invite players into the football system from non-football backgrounds.

“What is happening is the clubs are cherry-picking the best players who have played footy their whole life, and getting them more cheaply at the draft.

“Just because they have a parent who was born overseas or something.”

Collingwood profited two years ago when it nabbed Isaac Quaynor, a gun half-back from the Oakleigh Chargers, through its next generation academy.

“It is out of control, now” another recruiter said. “They (AFL) have created a monster.”

Under AFL rules, the Western Bulldogs not only have guaranteed access to Ugle-Hagen, they also receive a 20 per cent discount on the draft pick they use on him.

It means if a bid came at pick No. 1 (which is worth 3000 draft value index points), the Dogs would have to hand over the picks equivalent to 2400 points.

For example, the Dogs would have to fork over pick No. 3 (2234) and pick No. 59 (158), or under another scenario, No. 7 (1644) and No. 25 (756) to claim Ugle-Hagan.

The 600 point discount is equivalent to keeping pick No. 32.

One list manager said there needed to be an overhaul.

‘I’m a big supporter of the NGA program, but really the focus should be on the players who aren’t necessarily going to be taken in the early part of the draft,” he said.

“And if they are taken early, (there should be) no discounts.”

[Remi Moses]

Magnificent
I can smell their envy

[GVGjr]

Could you imagine if JUH was linked to Collingwood? Eddie would come out swinging hard at this sort of article.

Looking forward to seeing JUH playing for us in 2021

[comrade]

What's the point of publishing this now? Just a re-hash of the same articles printed last year, with zero new insights or information.

[comrade]

Could you imagine if JUH was linked to Collingwood? Eddie would come out swinging hard at this sort of article.

Looking forward to seeing JUH playing for us in 2021

They have Reef McInnes coming through, who will be a top 15 pick.

[jeemak]

I love this.

It will be even better when we win the flag this year, after easily eclipsing any other club for free kicks in our favour.

[whythelongface]

I love this.

It will be even better when we win the flag this year, after easily eclipsing any other club for free kicks in our favour.

ditto - nothing like getting the rub of the green on a few things and making other clubs envious.

[bulldogtragic]

Could you imagine if JUH was linked to Collingwood? Eddie would come out swinging hard at this sort of article.

Looking forward to seeing JUH playing for us in 2021

I'm looking forward to watching him this year.

When he arrives, we have three talls taken inside the top 10 and Bruce (who was pre-draft zone selection).

[LostDoggy]

Those damn silver spoon bulldogs always getting the best deal from the AFL.

[jeemak]

I'm looking forward to watching him this year.

When he arrives, we have three talls taken inside the top 10 and Bruce (who was pre-draft zone selection).

To think that Tim English wasn't at this point is just phenomenal.

[bulldogtragic]

To think that Tim English wasn't at this point is just phenomenal.

The cherry on top of the Premiership cake.

I hope Cody Raak stays fit and gets attention too. If we play finals and get dibs on the best KPF AND a good KPD and MacPherson, we will be truly hated. I love when we are hated.

[bornadog]

Love this. For once, yes for once the cards fall our way and the rest of the clubs can get stuffed

[comrade]

Anyone else concerned that AFL will try to save face and find a loop hole to re-zone Jamarra now that he’s boarding in Melbourne and playing for Chargers?

The fact that this is getting airtime in the AFL’s de facto newsletter is a little disconcerting.

[Mofra]

Anyone else concerned that AFL will try to save face and find a loop hole to re-zone Jamarra now that he’s boarding in Melbourne and playing for Chargers?

The fact that this is getting airtime in the AFL’s de facto newsletter is a little disconcerting.

We need to get on the front foot and highlight a whole raft of inconsistencies.

What are the odds the clubs complaining have been beneficiaries of zoning/desirable schedules in the past?

[MrMahatma]

Anyone else concerned that AFL will try to save face and find a loop hole to re-zone Jamarra now that he’s boarding in Melbourne and playing for Chargers?

The fact that this is getting airtime in the AFL’s de facto newsletter is a little disconcerting.

There’s certainly an in built fear of not getting him that will only leave once we’ve got him!