He was a member of the Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy,[6] which helps scout and develop Aboriginal and multicultural players, and people who would not otherwise play the sport of Australian rules football.[7]
Ugle-Hagan was taken at Pick 1 in the 2020 national draft, when the Western Bulldogs matched the Adelaide Crows' bid.[8][6] He is the first Bulldogs No.1 Draft Pick since Adam Cooney in 2003, and only the second Indigenous player to be taken with the first selection since Des Headland in 1998.[9]
Ugle-Hagan played his first AFL game for the Western Bulldogs on 11 July 2021 in their Round 17 loss to the Sydney Swans.[10] On debut, Ugle-Hagan collected seven disposals and one mark.[11] Despite staying goalless, Ugle-Hagan was kept in the team for round 18, where he kicked three goals in a strong performance against the Gold Coast Suns.[12] On 5 August 2021, it was revealed that Ugle-Hagan signed on with the Bulldogs until the end of 2024.[13][14]
Ugle-Hagan received a Rising Star nomination for his five-goal performance against Melbourne during round 19 in 2022.[15][6]
Breakout: 2023
In Round 2 of the 2023 AFL season, Ugle-Hagan received a racist remark from a St Kilda supporter when walking off the field at the end of the game. The next week in their game against the Brisbane Lions, Ugle-Hagan kicked five goals in a low scoring and tight game. As a celebration of one of his five goals he lifted his shirt and pointed to his skin whilst looking at the crowd, emulating Nicky Winmar's iconic gesture under similar circumstances in a 1993 game.[16][17] This started some career best form for the young dog with a 3 goal performance in Round 11 against Gold Coast, a 4 goal performance alongside 12 disposals in Round 16 versing Fremantle and 2 goals with 13 disposals the week after facing Collingwood. Ugle-Hagan had a breakout year in 2023 playing every game possible for the Western Bulldogs and finishing 2nd in their leading goalkicker tally with 35 goals.
Leading Goalkicker: 2024
Ugle-Hagan had a good year in 2024 playing 22 games and kicking 43 goals to place him as the leading goal kicker for the Western Bulldogs for the season. Ugle-Hagan captured brilliant patch of form from rounds 18 to 20 in which he kicked 12 goals from 3 games. In round 21, against Melbourne, he could of gone big on the score sheet however he didn't have his kicking boots on and managed 2 goals and 6 behinds throughout the match.
