AFL Round 6: How the Western Bulldogs can cover the absence of Sam Darcy

When Sam Darcy’s knee buckled, a shudder went through Marvel Stadium. Aaron Naughton will now have to earn his money, and for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – who knows? JOSH BARNES unpacks what happens now.

Sam Darcy’s bent leg has presented Aaron Naughton with a fork in the road of his season.

And the moment that could shape the Western Bulldogs’ season will raise even more questions of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

A shudder ran through Marvel Stadium with five minutes left in the first term when Darcy’s left leg bent the wrong way, with the young phenom immediately left feeling for his knee.

There was some good news on Monday, with fears of an ACL injury squashed.

Sam Darcy hyperextension.

The beanpole Dog will still miss most of the season, with hope now turned to him being able to return just before the finals.

The season still needs to be alive for the Dogs for him to return and much of that may now rest with how Luke Beveridge reshapes his forward half around Naughton in the next four months.

Signed to a monster eight-year deal in October, Naughton now has to earn his money.

Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton speak on the bench Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The headbanded flyer has been criticised roundly for a quiet start to the year and still had moments of regret against the Saints, hitting the post from 15m out, blasting one snap out of bounds and spilling a couple of easy marks.

But he was the best forward on the ground and after kicking five goals in his first four matches of the year, Naughton has now kicked six in his last two and hopes of a finals charge may now rest with him.

Naughton will be the man the Dogs kick to going forward from now on, and he will know how much the team will depend on him.

Buku Khamis surprisingly played forward for the first three quarters and barely sniffed it, with Luke Beveridge sending Rory Lobb there for the final term as he began tinkering with his mix next to Naughton.

That’s because the third man in this injury story is simply not there.

A superstar talent, the Bulldogs cannot call on Ugle-Hagan to naturally fill the Darcy void.

The Dogs have been mightily patient with the personal circumstances that have left Ugle-Hagan unfit for selection so far this year.

But now his team really needs him.

What does Sam Darcy’s injury mean for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Picture: Michael Klein

How would the former No. 1 pick feel coming in to Whitten Oval this week, when he knows there is a giant hole in the team in the exact position he plays?

We may soon find out just how desperately he wants to be an AFL footballer.

Darcy’s absence was not felt immediately on Sunday night, as the irrepressible force of captain Marcus Bontempelli put the game to bed.

He put St Kilda to the sword with 14 disposals and two goals in that quarter and his class was as unmissable as Clive Palmer ads during election season.

Marcus Bontempelli was huge in his return. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“I don’t think anyone is (surprised) by what Marcus can do,” coach Luke Beveridge said of the skipper’s return post-match.

“He was quite outstanding. I mean, when you’re that good a ball handler and understand the game as well as him and you’ve got that much courage and presence, hopefully he’s a handful week to week.

“But he’s just been a pro in his rehab.”

St Kilda will surely be thankful that Darcy’s fall sucked up so much oxygen on Sunday night.

The Saints were battered around the ball and uncompetitive after a bright first 15 minutes.