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Bulldogs back Naughton to rediscover radar

3 minute read

Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton has pulled down an incredible 13 marks in his team's 28-point win over Fremantle.

AARON NAUGHTON
AARON NAUGHTON Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton did his best Superman impression in the air during Sunday's 28-point win over Fremantle, but his kryptonite proved to be the big white sticks at the end of the field.

Naughton pulled down an incredible 13 marks - five of them contested - in one of the best aerial displays seen in years.

But his kicking for goal left a lot to be desired as he finished with a wayward 1.5.

It brought his season tally to 29.26, but Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge isn't worried about Naughton's kicking on goal.

"He was extraordinary," Beveridge said of the 21-year-old's performance against the Dockers.

"We think he's an exceptional set shot at goal. It seems to be one of those rounds where a player in each game is kicking 1.5 or 1.6 and they were all gettable for Aaron tonight.

"He'll be disappointed in the fact he didn't complete some of his work, but he was extraordinary."

Bulldogs ruckman Stefan Martin will undergo scans on the shoulder injury that saw him subbed out of the game.

Beveridge is hopeful it isn't serious, and that the veteran won't miss the clash with Geelong on Friday week.

Bulldogs players were initially set to be given this week off given they have the bye.

But with the city of Melbourne still in lockdown, the team will train through the current period and instead be given four days off after they take on Geelong in the hope the lockdown will be finished by then.

The Bulldogs enter their bye week sitting pretty at 10-2, but the mood is different at the 11th-placed Dockers, who are now 5-7 and nursing a huge casualty ward.

Skipper Nat Fyfe (dislocated shoulder), ruckman Sean Darcy (hamstring), defender Brennan Cox (hamstring), and forward Mitch Crowden (shoulder) will all undergo scans have suffering injuries against the Bulldogs.

Cox could miss the rest of the season, while fellow defender Griffin Logue has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with Gold Coast due to concussion.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he will consider recalling Alex Pearce after the fit-again defender successfully negotiated his way through two-and-a-half WAFL games in his return from a knee injury.

Ruckman Lloyd Meek will replace Darcy, and Longmuir is hopeful late withdrawal Matt Taberner (ankle) will also be fit to take on the Suns.

Defender Reece Conca and forward Brett Bewley are others in the mix to help fill the void.

"I think every club has been through (injury hits) at some stage. Ours has been pretty consistent," Longmuir said.

"And we're getting a lot of collision injuries as well. There's not much we can do about concussions or Fyfe's shoulder."

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