Naughton requires knee surgery



The Western Bulldogs won't rush in trying to get Aaron Naughton ready for round one after the exciting forward was booked for surgery on his right knee to clean up loose cartilage.

The operation, on the opposite knee to the one Naughton injured in last year's elimination final against Greater Western Sydney, will occur on Saturday. The Bulldogs will be in a better position to assess how long he will be sidelined once surgery is completed.

It is a blow for the Bulldogs on the eve of the season, with the 20-year-old set to play a key role up forward after an impressive start to his career in the past two seasons. Coach Luke Beveridge remains hopeful he could play in the round one blockbuster against Collingwood.

"We won't push him to be ready for round one," Beveridge said.

"If he has the arthroscope and he comes up cherry ripe in two weeks then we'll probably pick him, but there is any doubt and he has got a bit of swelling and it is going to take a couple of more weeks then we will be conservative."

Naughton dodged a bullet when he went down with what looked like a serious knee injury against the Giants last September but he was relieved to be diagnosed with a lateral ligament injury rather than a season-ending anterior crucial ligament injury.

He took part in match practice last Wednesday and was set to play against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Friday night but felt clicking in his knee when he returned home on Thursday.

Naughton has played 41 games with the Bulldogs and kicked 32 goals in 2019 as a key forward earning a reputation as a brilliant mark.