A peculiar decrease in the use of Aaron Naughton up forward for the Western Bulldogs has perked the ears of some AFL greats, with the key forward sliding down the pecking order as a target inside 50.
As brought to light by Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley and Garry Lyon on Fox Footy’s On The Couch, Naughton has been targeted a mere 10 times inside the attacking arc from the Bulldogs’ four games so far this season.
This ranks the key forward equal-third in the side, behind Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (targeted 27 times), Cody Weightman (11) and equal with Rhylee West (10).
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Former Brisbane Lions champion Jonathon Brown was blunt in his assessment of either Naughton’s performance, or the new role that’s been thrown his way by coach Luke Beveridge.
“I want Aaron Naughton to be on the end of more of these targets,” Brown exclaimed.
The 24-year-old didn’t kick a goal against Geelong on the weekend, however did register 15 disposals and six marks – one of which was contested.
When Brown was quizzed by Melbourne three-time All Australian Garry Lyon on why Naughton hasn’t been as much as a target as previous years, Brown suspected a role change.
“I think they are playing up the ground a bit more at times, and then part of it is his forward craft as well,” Brown said.
“Partly there might be a little role change, but a big part of it is the forward craft; he’s got to give himself a better opportunity at being in contests.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, he’s got to sort his positioning out.”
Lyon asked: “Is that instructional, or is that him losing all confidence?”
Naughton’s running patterns and positions late in his side’s four-point loss to Geelong last Saturday night were also scrutinised, with Brown and Buckley pleading for the 196cm to demand the ball more.
“I guarantee you late in the game Gaz, if you’re the big power forward, the ball’s coming through me – or at least I’m going to put myself through the firing line,” said Brown – who was a master of the role in his playing days.
“If it is a tactical thing from Luke Beveridge, I would be changing my tactics… put him where his strength is, or put him back.”
Buckley put a line through previous comparisons made by media personnel on Naughton with other key forwards in the competition.
“I think Naughton is putting himself out of positions that he can bring his strengths – he doesn’t have the footy craft that Hawkins has,” the Collingwood great said.
“The edits that you’ve showed indicated to me that he was up there (higher in the ground) through coaching, through planning.
“I think the Bulldogs players can help Naughton, as much as he can help them.”
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Lyon rounded out the conversation by adding that he “couldn’t believe he’s been targeted the same amount of times as Rhylee West.”
While not a traditional target up forward, West has had a solid start to the year – kicking 2.2 to compliment his nippy forward pressure.
Naughton has kicked just four goals to start 2024, however sits second only to Bontempelli (32) for score involvements at the Bulldogs this season with 30 himself.
He sits equal-sixth in the side for contested marks at the Bulldogs in 2024 – a clear indication that there has been a change in his role for Luke Beveridge’s side.
Naughton will have the chance to rebound strongly this Friday night against a shaky Essendon defence at Marvel Stadium.
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