Pressing questions are already being asked of the Western Bulldogs’ forward line balance after their tough 45-point loss at the hands of Melbourne in Round 1.
As Pick #2 and father-son selection Sam Darcy waits in the wings at selection, quiet matches on Sunday from Aaron Naughton (one goal, six disposals) and Rory Lobb (one goal, seven disposals) have amplified pressure on Luke Beveridge’s goalkickers at the start of the 2024 season.
Darcy, a 208cm giant who has historically been seen as a future star – including winning the club’s Best First Year award in 2022 – has played just seven games in his two years on the Bulldogs’ list; with a history of injury partially to blame for his lack of gametime.
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However, with Darcy now fully fit and raring to go, the safety of Naughton up forward is seemingly no more, given the side’s sluggish Round 1 start.
Speaking on Monday’s AFL 360, Gerard Whateley took aim at the execution from Bulldogs players up the ground when kicking inside forward 50.
“If they’re not kicking it to him [Naughton], then what’s the point?” said Whateley.
Whateley was also in full support of Darcy’s injection into the Bulldogs’ line-up, saying that he “has to come in”.
Fellow host Mark Robinson was also critical of Beveridge’s players against Melbourne, in a segment that unofficially labelled the Western Bulldogs as the biggest losers out of Round 1.
“Some of those players that came in, they weren’t up to that fight,” exclaimed Robinson, pointing to the questions over their new recruits.
Fox Footy’s David King has previously suggested that the Dogs “need to have a look at Naughton in defence”, however that suggestion was rubbished by Beveridge in June last year, saying that he’s “not going behind the ball any time soon.”
With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Lobb and Naughton all currently starting in Beveridge’s forward line, it seems highly unlikely the Bulldogs will opt for a fourth key forward consistently in their side.
Naughton a ‘waste of talent’ up forward? | 01:33
Subsequently, how Beveridge can squeeze in young gun Darcy without dropping one of his high-profile key forwards is the hottest question on the lips of many.
The Bulldogs head up to Mars Stadium in Ballarat this Sunday for a clash with the undefeated Gold Coast Suns, starting at 1pm AEDT.
Their VFL side Footscray kicks off their season against GWS’ reserves an hour beforehand at Whitten Oval.
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