AFL 2022: Western Bulldogs star Aaron Naughton wants teenage big man Sam Darcy to join him up forward

The Bulldogs are suddenly spoiled for choice in their key-position stocks but Aaron Naughton wants one young big man to play in attack with him.

Aaron Naughton has enjoyed another excellent season up forward for the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

Memo: Luke Beveridge.

Milestone man and star Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton wants more help in attack, namely in the form of boom draftee Sam Darcy.

A club that once was bereft of marking targets is suddenly overflowing with them, albeit Naughton’s 51 goals are 33 more than any other specialist tall forward on the list.

That’s why three-gamer Darcy, the No.2 pick in last year’s draft as a father-son selection, looms as a source of intrigue ahead of the Dogs’ knockout final against Fremantle on Saturday night.

The teenager showed off his sticky hands in a defensive intercepting role in his first two outings before swinging forward with great effect in round 23 to kick two goals and haul in six marks, including four inside 50.

On the flip side, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan managed only two behinds, while veteran Josh Bruce was scoreless from only five disposals.

Sam Darcy has made a big impression at both ends of the ground in the first three games of his career. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’d like him down there with me,” Naughton said of 205cm Darcy.

“He takes another big defender away, so I’d be pretty happy with that. We’ve really had only the one game (together) and he was really impressive.

“His sheer height and being able to stand under high balls is something not many blokes can do.

“He’s only going to get a lot better and it’s pretty exciting to play, hopefully, alongside him this weekend with Jamarra down there. The three of us are still pretty young but pretty exciting.”

Cody Weightman (33 goals) and Marcus Bontempelli (22) have been Naughton’s most consistent scoreboard support this year, although Ugle-Hagan (18) has blossomed in the second half of the season.

Bruce has just one goal in five games since returning from his ACL setback last year and a big selection call may loom.

Aaron Naughton will be critical if the Bulldogs are to score an upset finals win over Fremantle in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

Naughton, who is from Western Australia, will play his 100th game in front of family and friends against the Dockers at Perth Stadium after a twist of fate.

The durable 22-year-old missed only one game this season, in round 18, when a Covid-19 diagnosis meant he had to sit out the club’s clash with St Kilda.

Naughton’s carried a heavy load up front for the Bulldogs and has dealt with a nagging knee injury, so he appreciated the pre-finals bye – and even headed down to Anglesea with some teammates.

“I’m probably one for the bye this year. I’m a little bit sore, so it was good to freshen up and I think a lot of boys were like that,” Naughton said.

“(My body) is a lot better than halfway through the year. I managed to get rid of the knee tape, which is nice. It’s feeling really good now.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Western Bulldogs star Aaron Naughton wants teenage big man Sam Darcy to join him up forward