Indigenous AFL icon Nicky Winmar has lauded Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan for his nod to Winmar’s iconic gesture after being racially abused.
Ugle-Hagan booted five of his team’s 10 goals in a win over Brisbane on Thursday night in what was his first match since being racially abused by a spectator.
The 20-year-old re-created Winmar’s iconic “I’m black and I’m proud” gesture from 1993 after one of his goals, and the Saints legend said he was “proud” of the young Bulldog.
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“It’s up to the new generations to reinforce the stance I made back in 1993,” he said in a statement on Friday.
“I’m still here, still involved with the issue, but it’s been 30 years now, it’s like a big relay race, time to pass on the baton.
“I spoke to Luke Beveridge today, to thank him for supporting Jamarra, and other Indigenous players at the Western Bulldogs. It’s a great club, that I respect. I was welcomed and felt supported when I played for them in 1999.
“Things are getting better, with increased awareness, and kids are getting educated in schools now about racism in sport and in society, which is great.
“There’s still a few who can’t control their negative attitudes, all we can do is keep supporting each other, and keep calling it out.
“I also want to congratulate Jamarra for his outstanding on-field performance … keep up the good work!”
Ugle-Hagan said he hadn’t pre-meditated the decision to emulate Winmar’s gesture.
“Obviously I knew it was coming up to 30 years (since Winmar’s gesture) … but it just came in the moment,” he said.
“I didn’t know I was going to kick a goal tonight, so the celebration just came with it. I felt pretty proud.
“Obviously going out there with all my mates who have supported me through a tough week, to do that in front of everyone, hopefully it makes a stance in the moment.
“Hopefully people look back on it 30 years from now and say from then nothing’s happened since. Hopefully no one cops anything that I’ve been through.”
The former No.1 pick added that he would “100 per cent love to meet” Winmar.
Ugle-Hagan’s coach Luke Beveridge played with Winmar during Winmar’s sole season at the Bulldogs in 1999 and said his star man’s performance was a reminder of what Indigenous Australians have brought to football.
“I’m still in contact with Nick and I love him to death,” he said.
“As much as we’ve come a fair way since those days (1993), we’ve still got a way to go.
“He (Ugle-Hagan) made a statement by doing that gesture but he also made a significant statement with his performance.
“It’s a reminder of the influence that Indigenous Australians have had on our code and the significance of how they’ve driven the love and the passion of the game.”
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