A special spot was reserved for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's number one fan on AFL draft night.
A chair draped in a Western Bulldogs scarf with a number one balloon attached was set aside for his late grandmother Aunty Violet Clark at the front of a room filled with proud family and friends at Framlingham on Wednesday.
Jamarra, 18, was snapped up at number one after Western Bulldogs matched Adelaide's bid for the Next Generation Academy talent.
Uncle Possum Clark-Ugle said he was thrilled for his nephew who was in Melbourne with his parents Alice Ugle and Aaron Hagan.
"That seat was for Alice's mother, Jamarra's nan and my mother as well," he said.
"We lost her during the year, at the start of COVID, which was April.
"The chair was there in remembrance of her as mum was the number one supporter of Jamarra."
Uncle Possum said Jamarra, who played for South Warrnambool and East Warrnambool, had worked hard and was a deserving top pick.
"I am very excited and privileged to see our nephew up there," he said.
"He is a natural, he is ready for the big stage. Sky's the limit with Jamarra."
Uncle Possum said Jamarra's achievement was a celebration for Framlingham, an indigenous community on the outskirts of Warrnambool.
"(With) corona this year and not having many community get-togethers, even for funerals where we've been restricted down to 10, it means a lot when we can come together now and celebrate something very positive," he said.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
