But it's the quietly-spoken teenager's steely resolve and competitiveness which have impressed Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Jy Bond.

Bond believes Ugle-Hagan, who honed his skills on Warrnambool's ovals, is deserving of the number one mantle despite COVID-19 restrictions wiping out his top-age NAB League season.

Simply, the 194-centimetre forward did enough in his bottom-age season to convince selectors.

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He played in Oakleigh's 2019 premiership and impressed on AFL grand final day at the MCG when he represented the All-Stars in a curtain-raiser to the main match.

"For him to play so well as bottom-ager and have such amazing physical attributes - the height, speed, his kicking and his marking... it just shows the potential he has," Bond told The Standard.

"He's got exceptional speed and endurance and his high-marking is something we've seen at Oakleigh the last couple of seasons, his ability to jump in packs and take strong contested marks is just really exciting.

"What I like about him too is his physicality and he's competitive.

"I love the fact he's not afraid to put his body in a contest. He didn't really get beaten at our level but if he did, he was really determined not to let it happen again."

Western Bulldogs have first dibs on Ugle-Hagan through their Next Generation Academy program.

The indigenous teenager from Framlingham impressed during a week-long visit to Whitten Oval last year.

"I remember going down to the Bulldogs early last year when the academy players spent a week at their allocated clubs," Bond said.

"I was speaking to Benny Graham and some other people I know and they were like 'this young man has slotted in perfectly'.

"There was some footage of him standing on one of the ruck bags and you don't see 17-year-old kids doing that when they go to an AFL club.

"I think he just does Jamarra things. I think he will fit into whatever club he goes to."

Ugle-Hagan, now 18, is expected to slot into an AFL forward line but is capable of playing ruck or defence if needed.

"We threw him down back and he showed he can play down back," Bond said.

"His ability to hit a target and manoeuvre around the contest is also exceptional for someone his size.

"He is just very, very talented which is why he is being talked about as the number one pick."

Bond said Ugle-Hagan, who has been likened to Lance Franklin, had a "quiet confidence".

"To be successful you've got to believe in your ability. I like the fact he's confident in what he can do but he's certainly not arrogant," he said.

Ugle-Hagan, who played a senior game with dad Aaron Ugle at East Warrnambool in 2019, moved away from home in year 10 to board at Melbourne's Scotch College.

Bond believes it has helped him adjust to new environments.

"He is very polite, very well mannered. A lovely kid," he said.

"He eased his way into the (Oakleigh) program and once he got comfortable, he was super engaged and all the players loved him, the staff loved him.

"He is a very, very good character and a great personality and he's fun to be around. It's very easy to talk about his football ability but I reckon it's his personality, his character that I like talking to people about."