The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

[Bornadog]

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Triple premiership Blue Mark Maclure believes young star forward Aaron Naughton can lead the Western Bulldogs to a premiership, declaring he’ll be “very wealthy” when his AFL career ends.


Naughton was drafted by the Bulldogs as a defender with Pick 9 in the 2017 draft and spent his debut season as a backman.


But since 2019, Naughton has developed into one of the league’s most exciting tall forwards, booting 80 goals from his past 49 games. He sits sixth on this year’s Coleman Medal table and is ranked first in the league for both contested marks and marks inside 50.

The 21-year-old on Sunday produced one of his most eye-catching performances yet, booting 4.2 from 15 disposals and nine marks (five contested) in the Dogs’ win over the West Coast Eagles.


Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Maclure said Naughton was part of the new breed of taller, more “powerful and strong” AFL key forwards.


“It is extraordinary how big he is and how powerful he is. The bravery of the leap at times, just huge.

“For mine, he could take this side to Grand Final day and win it.”

[EasternWest]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

I would be terrified as a defender if I had to play on Naughton. He's a chance in every single marking contest, he's quick off the mark and he hunts the ball when it hits the ground.

[Happy Days]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

He’s still strangely gettable one-on-one. May and Weitering have more or less blanketed him by keeping body contact with him, and even Henry had some success when accommodated by less than friendly delivery.

I think that we’re getting better at putting the ball in the space in front of Naughton rather than on his head though, which is what we should do every entry. It doesn’t really matter how the defenders are set up in front of him because if he gets any room to run and jump 95% of the time he will catch it.

[KT31]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

I would be terrified as a defender if I had to play on Naughton. He's a chance in every single marking contest, he's quick off the mark and he hunts the ball when it hits the ground.

I would also be terrified playing forward in the same team.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

I would also be terrified playing forward in the same team.

Absolutely. It took Timmy a month to get over that fear. Every human is an opportunity for him to climb into and over it.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

He’s still strangely gettable one-on-one. May and Weitering have more or less blanketed him by keeping body contact with him, and even Henry had some success when accommodated by less than friendly delivery.

I think that we’re getting better at putting the ball in the space in front of Naughton rather than on his head though, which is what we should do every entry. It doesn’t really matter how the defenders are set up in front of him because if he gets any room to run and jump 95% of the time he will catch it.

The thing that has propelled Naughton forward is his developed forward craft. He's getting on the lead often, which is what he needs to do against some of the better key defenders like May who simply can't go with him on the lead. We were dreadful v Melbourne but I thought he showed signs of handling May better than he did in the pre-season.

Henry was a good match up for Naughton in that he was quick enough on the lead and strong enough to body him 1-v-1, but it was a small sample size.

Ultimately Naughton is either too quick on the lead, too athletic or too strong for every key defender in the league so it's just a matter of adjusting his playing style depending on the game and his opponent.

[Mantis]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

He’s still strangely gettable one-on-one. May and Weitering have more or less blanketed him by keeping body contact with him, and even Henry had some success when accommodated by less than friendly delivery.

I think that we’re getting better at putting the ball in the space in front of Naughton rather than on his head though, which is what we should do every entry. It doesn’t really matter how the defenders are set up in front of him because if he gets any room to run and jump 95% of the time he will catch it.

He still is only 21 (Weitering is 23, May is 29) and from his own words has only had one proper pre-season. Wait until he has had a couple more years in the gym and has developed his core strength as he will then have the ability to wrestle with you, out-run you and sit on your head... good luck dealing with that.

[Mofra]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

He is arguably our best pressure forward when the ball hits the deck too. His repeat work is what really sets him apart, he's always influencing the contest.

[1eyedog]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

He’s still strangely gettable one-on-one. May and Weitering have more or less blanketed him by keeping body contact with him, and even Henry had some success when accommodated by less than friendly delivery.

I think that we’re getting better at putting the ball in the space in front of Naughton rather than on his head though, which is what we should do every entry. It doesn’t really matter how the defenders are set up in front of him because if he gets any room to run and jump 95% of the time he will catch it.

Yeah I'm amazed defenders are still allowing him to run and jump at the ball.

[EasternWest]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

I would also be terrified playing forward in the same team.

Captain Insano shows no mercy.

[Bornadog]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

[azabob]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

He is arguably our best pressure forward when the ball hits the deck too. His repeat work is what really sets him apart, he's always influencing the contest.

I actually don't think you need to argue that point.

The only player he'd be up against is Weightman.

Naughton is a freak of an athlete who can actually play football.

[comrade]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

Timmy was looking around very nervously in that contest!

[ratsmac]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

I love him!

[jeemak]

Re: The ‘powerful’ 21yo beast that can lead the Western Bulldogs to a flag

How good's the Hunter block!