Peel region football product Aaron Naughton had his outstanding rookie season at the AFL level rewarded when he was named the Western Bulldogs’ best first year player for 2018 at their presentation gala on Wednesday night.
Going up against a tough field of talented players in their first season at the Kennel, the Rockingham and Peel Thunder product pipped the likes of gun midfielder Ed Richards and forward Billy Gowers for the award named in club legend Chris Grant’s honour.
Naughton’s inaugural season in the AFL was superb, and stacks up against the rookie years of other great defenders like Richmond’s Alex Rance.
Taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 AFL Draft, Naughton debuted in the Bulldogs’ round one loss to Greater Western Sydney with a modest 11 disposals and two marks.
But the intercepting backman found some rhythm hauling in seven marks against West Coast in round two followed by another seven against Sydney two weeks later.
An injury sidelined him for four weeks from rounds 9-13, but the 18-year-old’s return allowed him to show some form in the forward line booting two goals and a behind in a two-point loss to North Melbourne.
His 20 disposals and four marks were a shining light for the Bulldogs in a dismal loss to Port Adelaide in round 19, but Naughton saved his best for last when an 18-disposal, nine-mark effort against Richmond earned him the round 23 rising star nomination.
Upon receiving the award the young gun thanked his coaches and family for their support.
“Firstly to my coaches… To put that faith in me right from the start in round one just allowed me to play some good football,” he said.
“And obviously my mum who’s over from WA for tonight.”
Perhaps even more impressive than earning the club’s best first year award was how Naughton polled in their Charlie Sutton medal count for the overall best and fairest.
The defender collected 120 votes to finish the count in fourth place, behind only superstars of the competition Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli, who finished the count in first, second and third respectively.
Naughton did enough to finish in front of the likes of Josh Dunkley, Jason Johannisen and Caleb Daniel.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
