Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has launched a scathing attack at the recruiters who are reportedly outraged by the club’s access to underage sensation Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

The 17-year-old is widely considered to be the most talented player in this year’s draft pool, but is tied to the Whitten Oval as a member of the Bulldogs’ next generation academy.

The Warrnambool product played in a premiership as a bottom-ager for the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League and is boarding at Scotch College.

Round 18

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Under the current AFL rules, the Western Bulldogs are not only guaranteed of securing Ugle-Hagan if they want him, they will also receive a 20 per cent discount, which could result in them keeping hold of a second round pick.

Before Beveridge exited his post-match press conference after the Bulldogs’ 44-point win over North Melbourne in the Marsh Community Series on Friday night, the premiership coach wanted to make his point clear following an article in Friday’s Herald Sun.

“You didn’t want to ask me about Jamarra?” Beveridge asked reporters before drawing his press conference to a close on Friday night.

“All I’d like to say is it was a really short-sighted article in regards to Jamarra. Our club has put a lot of time into Jamarra and looked after him and nurtured him and that’s what the NGA academy is all about. Every club is doing it.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is tied to the Western Bulldogs academy. Picture: Daniel Pockett Source: Getty Images

“I was surprised there was uproar just because we’ve got an opportunity if Jamarra is that player who is going to be an early pick. Really short-sighted article.

“What we should be doing is going even further in allowing clubs to put time into potential academy players. I’m not saying we go back to full zoning but what it does is it injects incentive into the communities – and that’s what’s happened with Jamarra.

“He’s at a private school, he’s learnt a lot with us in his time, but he’s no different to an Isaac Heeney or any one of those players.

“I’m really surprised that because we might have an opportunity – and it is yet to be seen where Jamarra goes – that such a short-sighted article was written.”

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was part of the Oakleigh Chargers’ 2019 NAB League triumph. Picture: Mike Owen Source: Getty Images

Beveridge said it is unfair for the teenager to be at the centre of the next generation academy debate ahead of his final year of underage football.

“Whoever the recruiters are who have expressed their short-sighted understanding of how our game needs to grow and how we need to continue to pump money, time and resources into our code right across the country is extremely disappointing,” he added.

“There’s no names in that article, but they want to have a good look at themselves.

“It is yet to be seen where Jamarra ends up, but he’s a great kid. He doesn’t deserve to be that headline either.”

The indigenous forward booted 24 goals from nine NAB League appearances during an eye-catching 2019 that has those inside the Western Bulldogs salivating.