Welcome to the Western Bulldogs - Aaron Naughton

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Whilst I agree with most of your post, can you explain what happens to Poulter

I think he would be a great death player. Whilst I like him. We will struggle to win a flag if he is in our best 22

[mjp]

Actually:

Curnow 78.41 from 127 shots on goal @ 61.4% (plus 18 goal assists)

Naughton 44.33 from 88 shots on goal @ 50% (plus 22 goal assists)

Curnow has improved his accuracy this year (54.7% last year) whilst Naughton was slightly down (52.6% last year). Naughts maybe just below the mark for key forwards but not as bad as people make out.

I don't think Naughton should be judged solely on goals kicked. I don't think he needs to kick +70 either. 50-60 as part of a well functioning forward line will be fine if he's doing the other things he's so good at.

Naughton: 59 tackles and 29 Free Kicks
Curnow: 25 tackles and 38 Free Kicks

Naughton: 100 Marks and 267 Disposals (2.67 possessions for every mark)
Curnow: 165 Marks and 324 Disposals (1.96 possessions for every mark)

Naughton: 41x Contested marks (41% marks contested)
Curnow: 59x Contested marks (27% marks contested)

Lies and damned statistics.

Naughton and Curnow aren't the same player - and Curnow is essentially the fulcrum of the Carlton ATTACK (not just their forward line). He takes repeated hit-up marks (not contested) and is only taking them under pressure 1 in 4. Naughton is totally different - he is an LDL target out of D50 and also operates as our primary 'pressure' forward (Weightman 52 tackles, Jamarra 48)...

Naughton had some less than perfect games late in the year - and you could easily make the argument that his worst games came when we needed him the most - but man oh man we judge him on a harsh scale.

[Bullies]

I?m thinking we need Naughton more than he needs us. He is a huge body that dominates the the F50. JUH, Weightman and Co are all better because is on the park. We can?t and shouldn?t lose him. Pay him what he is worth on a 2 or 3 year term. Get him a kicking coach and leave him at FF. We need stability and the right culture down at the club. Losing any of our top end talent will be the end on any chance we have of climbing the mountain during our remaining Bont years.

Let?s keep the spine and trust Power to go get a replacement for a tired MaCrae or a fast winger to replace Pouter. Both must want to tackle and have speed.

JOD in the perfect world if we didn't need him down back would be the wingman we need. Has all the attributes and good luck trying to play on him. Quick, athletic and good skills.

[Grantysghost]

Naughton: 59 tackles and 29 Free Kicks
Curnow: 25 tackles and 38 Free Kicks

Naughton: 100 Marks and 267 Disposals (2.67 possessions for every mark)
Curnow: 165 Marks and 324 Disposals (1.96 possessions for every mark)

Naughton: 41x Contested marks (41% marks contested)
Curnow: 59x Contested marks (27% marks contested)

Lies and damned statistics.

Naughton and Curnow aren't the same player - and Curnow is essentially the fulcrum of the Carlton ATTACK (not just their forward line). He takes repeated hit-up marks (not contested) and is only taking them under pressure 1 in 4. Naughton is totally different - he is an LDL target out of D50 and also operates as our primary 'pressure' forward (Weightman 52 tackles, Jamarra 48)...

Naughton had some less than perfect games late in the year - and you could easily make the argument that his worst games came when we needed him the most - but man oh man we judge him on a harsh scale.

One is a forward

[Vred]

5 year deal from the Dogs put forward to Mr. Naughton, on fairly substantial money, tied in with the next CBA hopefully being announced soon.

[MrMahatma]

I get that he could kick better, but gee he's a very, very good player.

I also think the whole "Naughton would be an AA defender" is a similar theory where players get better, the longer they're on the sideline. That's simply unknown.

Keep him forever. Keep him forward, at least for the next few years.

[mjp]

One is a forward

I love you GG but this is simplistic.

Curnow is effectively a mid-fielder who plays ahead of the ball and has more in common with Dusty Martin that with his own team-mate (also a Coleman winner) - Harry McKay.

He (Curnow) is a hit to the 75m mark, take a chest mark, wheel and go type. He gets up and back and Carlton (as you can see by the numbers) target him relentlessly. He is not a typical key forward and no doubt Carlton have a unique talent in Curnow.

You rarely if ever see him hovering up around half-back, being the ldl target etc. He doesn't do that? Naughton not only does but HAS to do that.

Not every player is the same. I'm just not exactly sure precisely what everyone wants from Naughton - he busts he butt to apply pressure, provides multiple options and flyes for everything generally (at least) bringing it to ground - more than 40% of his marks are contested which is a simply incredible number. Incredible. He gives the effort you need from a key forward.

The whole 'kick straighter' thing I do understand but then when you look at 'raw numbers' his conversion rate is in line with others...but then (and I agree totally) he misses crucial kicks late in the year and, well...

vs Hawthorn though I thought he was one player who actually recognised the danger and was all over the field trying to apply pressure and win the footy back...was genuinely heart and soul that day (and many others).

[Grantysghost]

And he's from WA!

Never thought anything other than he's all that.

However he can't kick for goal.

For me he'd be a great defender.

Btw the wink means it's tongue in cheek you're not supposed to zing me (insert appropriate emoji here)

Curnow certainly does present down the line too it's pretty clear in his heat maps.

They play similar roles imo.

Also... What I really took out of that was that you love me.
What's taken you so long you silly goose!?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

And he's from WA!

Never thought anything other than he's all that.

However he can't kick for goal.

For me he'd be a great defender.

Btw the wink means it's tongue in cheek you're not supposed to zing me (insert appropriate emoji here)

Take it to the nets.

[Grantysghost]

Take it to the nets.

Ah.. Having seen mjp, and knowing what he does for a living.
HARD PASS!

Although remember I'm explosive over the first 2 metres.

[bornadog]

Ah.. Having seen mjp, and knowing what he does for a living.
HARD PASS!

Although remember I'm explosive over the first 2 metres.

How are your boxing skills

[Bumper Bulldogs]

5 year deal from the Dogs put forward to Mr. Naughton, on fairly substantial money, tied in with the next CBA hopefully being announced soon.

Love this. It shows strong leadership and improving culture

Plus membership dollars

[Grantysghost]

How are your boxing skills

Like a flabby armed spanking machine.

[Sedat]

Like a flabby armed spanking machine.

Keep those obscure Seinfeld references coming GG - I always appreciate them

[GVGjr]

Like a flabby armed spanking machine.

You need a session with Izzy Mandelbaum..."It's go time"