Aaron Naughton showed 2019 could be the year he makes his presence felt around the AFL when he put forth a game-breaking performance to lead the Western Bulldogs to a win over Sydney on Saturday night.
The 2017 top-10 draft pick was a Bulldogs sensation last season, finishing fourth in the club's best and fairest thanks to his sound play at half back.
But the 2019 campaign could be the year he announces himself as a bona fide match-winner, which certainly proved to be the case in round one.
The Peel Thunder/Rockingham Rams product made a name for himself as a promising young defender last year, but showed his deadly ability to swing forward this pre-season.
It was that ability to switch from the back to the front of the ground that spurred the Dogs to their 17-point win over the Swans.
Starting in attack, Naughton nailed three goals to see the Bulldogs out to a seven-goal lead in the first half.
He was a force up front, causing headaches for Swans defenders with his strong hands and ability to convert scores.
But his ability to play at both ends was highlighted when the Swans came storming back into the contest, threatening to run over the top of his Bulldogs.
Naughton was switched into defence to play on superstar Lance Franklin, and promptly shut down the Swans' best hope for a win.
Teammate Sam Lloyd was full of praise for Naughton, telling AFL Nation he shared similar attributes to Richmond superstar Alex Rance.
"He's going to be a star. I played with a bloke called Alex Rance, I think you know him, he has a lot of similar attributes to him," he said.
"He's (Naughton) a big, strong strapping young bloke. He's got the best pair of dukes I've probably ever seen so if we can hold him up forward and not send him back, I'll be pretty happy."
Naughton will help the Bulldogs take on Hawthorn in round two this coming weekend.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
