Aaron Naughton on possible move down back, Bulldogs 100th anniversary game against Collingwood

Aaron Naughton is not just a forward, he’s a wrecking ball. Something he definitely isn’t however, is a defender, and the big Bulldog says that won’t be changing anytime soon.

Aaron Naughton put the invitation out to Caleb Daniel.

On Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, the Western Bulldogs spearhead questioned whether his former teammate was interested in dropping back into the hole for a bit.

For even the most accomplished defenders, the 20-metre leading lane in front of the star goal kicker might be the most feared space in football.

Naughton, 25, is not just a full forward, he is a wrecking ball.

And despite the continual talk about whether he should be shifted back into defence where he started his career, Naughton is clear where he wants to stay for the long term.

“Definitely forward. I have really found my home down there,” Naughton said.

Aaron Naughton is well and truly at home up forward. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I’m still excited to get better each year, but I’m super comfortable forward now, and really confident in my ability.

“For me, I don’t think there is anything better than kicking a goal and celebrating.

“And I don’t think it is a secret that the way I play, I love flying for the ball and crashing packs.

“If I think I can get to a contest I will just go. That is probably why sometimes I come in a bit hot.

“I do get a sort of energy kick out of it and I know the boys in the team and the small forwards really enjoy when I fly at the footy at full pace and clean some of the defenders up.

“It is just what I like to do.”

Safe to say, Daniel didn’t drop the anchor in the danger zone for long last week as the Dogs set up a rare home MCG blockbuster against Collingwood for its 100 year anniversary match on Friday night after a round 1 win over North Melbourne.

In one of the most pivotal match-ups on the ground, Naughton will take on Magpies’ superstar Darcy Moore, a man who went from talented key forward to dual All-Australian defender earlier in his career.

The Bulldogs got the four points in the battle with former teammate Caleb Daniel. Picture: Matt Turner/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Naughton made the reverse move, shifting from back to front, and made it clear to coach Luke Beveridge after booting 32 goals in only his second season that he wanted to forge his AFL career as a forward.

That was in 2019, the last time the pair spoke about his best position.

Naughton said it hasn’t even been a consideration in the six years since.

“He assured me in my exit meeting in my second year that forward was where my future is and he asked the question if that was what I wanted to do?’” Naughton said.

“I said fu----- oath, because it is something I really enjoyed.

“But honestly since then we have never had a conversation about swinging back. Not one.

“Unless circumstances change and we lose players in games and we are in a save-the-game mode or something like that, that’s when I would go back.

“But my home is up forward.”

It is the one area where the injury-hit Dogs threaten to take the advantage against the Magpies with Naughton and Sam Darcy forming one of the most dangerous key forward combinations in the game.

Last year they were rated the No. 2 attack in the AFL after round 14, albeit Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal) and Cody Weightman (knee) have started this 2025 on the sidelines.

But in attack, Naughton said Darcy’s potential was enormous, giving the Dogs a trump card, if they can get they can break even in the midfield battle against the Magpies on Friday night.

“He (Darcy) is basically a ‘cheat code’,” he said.

Friday night marks a historic occasion for the club. Picture: Michael Klein

“The sheer height and the length and his highest point marking, I’m not sure we have ever really seen it in any other player I’ve seen.

“Sometimes he ruins drills at training because you can just kick the ball to him to move the ball down field.

“He is super-dedicated and really driven and ultra-competitive which you would have seen, and he is only going to get better as he gets older.”

The forward line group is the youngest section of the Dogs’ side.

And Naughton was coming from behind the eight ball before Christmas after suffering a calf injury at the start of pre-season and then glandular fever.

To help catch up on fitness, he hit the heat room, and says he is “feeling fresh, feeling fit, feeling good” after a strong finish to last season knocking off Geelong, Carlton and GWS Giants before the elimination final capitulation to Hawthorn.

The keen fisherman and surfer spent the off-season travelling through Japan and New Zealand and driving around in the five-metre boat he sold to his best mate back home in Western Australia.

Darcy is a “cheat code” according to Naughton. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

He loves the water and the outdoors, but can never catch Beveridge on a shortboard, even though the share the same surfing passion.

Their bond is a strong one.

“It is super. He brought me to the club as a young fella and we have some common interests outside the game,” he said.

“But he (Beveridge) doesn’t like surfing with the boys, and I’m not sure why.

“During the pre-season camp (in Noosa) he was out there before the sun comes up.

“Maybe he is worried he is no good (laughing).

“He is a person to chat life with but also obviously when it comes time to have that serious football conversation he is there for you as well, so he has really good relationships (with the players).”

Naughton and Luke Beveridge possess a strong bond. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

For the next six weeks, the Dogs will attempt to stay in positive territory on the ledger as they navigate a difficult start to the fixture without six of their most important players including superstar skipper Marcus Bontempelli, full back Liam Jones, Weightman and veteran ballwinner Adam Treloar.

Naughton said the Dogs know the cavalry will arrive in a month or so.

But after making slow-ish starts to every season since the 2021 grand final, the Dogs are desperate to knock off the Magpies as part of a strong start this year.

“The season is super long, and we are just focused on starting the season well,” he said.

“Once we get some boys back no doubt it will help a bit, but we have great belief the boys we have available can get the job done.”

Originally published as Aaron Naughton on possible move down back, Bulldogs 100th anniversary game against Collingwood