News Aaron Naughton Re-Signs till 2020 - and again until 2024!

[VitalDread]

Promising young Western Bulldogs defender Aaron Naughton has extended his contract with the Club.

The 18-year-old, who has impressed in his debut season so far, will remain at the Bulldogs until at least the end of the 2020 season.

“We had no hesitation in working on a contract extension for Aaron, and we’re excited to get it locked away at this point of his debut season,” said Bulldogs General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power.

“The way he has tackled the task of integrating into the club, working hard on the training track, winning a spot in the team and holding his own against some of the best forwards in the competition has been very impressive.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Aaron continue to improve as his career progresses at the Bulldogs.”

Naughton, from Western Australia, was taken with pick nine in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft and has made an immediate impact at VU Whitten Oval, making his debut in the opening round of the season.

He played eight straight matches as a key defender, averaging 11 disposals and four marks per game, with injury restricting him since Round 9.

The Club’s second choice in last year’s National Draft, Ed Richards, also extended his contract earlier this season.

 

[dergert]

Wonder why it took him so long opposed to Richards?

Either way I'm glad!

 

[Bemoreboyddog]

* yes.

 

[VitalDread]

Wonder why it took him so long opposed to Richards?

Either way I'm glad!

Maybe Naughton was away for the long weekend

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Nice. He's probably the most impressive first year tall that I have seen at the club since Chris Grant. Has looked a sure thing since day 1.

 

[FoochPackage]

An extra year?? Would of hoped for atleast extra 2. Touch concerning

 

[TedDougChris]

Good news (finally)

 

[AFDogs]

Great signing, and smart of him to stay with the club. He will get games and is already looming as a great replacement for E. Wood down the track.

 

[Tommycash]

Happy with that. Hopefully by then the threat of a go home desire will have passed. He is a very exciting prospect.

 

[Draft Pick]

Happy with that. Hopefully by then the threat of a go home desire will have passed. He is a very exciting prospect.

I read somewhere that the family is originally from Melbourne and they moved to Perth when he was a kid.

 

[maddog37]

An extra year?? Would of hoped for atleast extra 2. Touch concerning

I was hoping for a ten year extension.

 

[hatescaptcha]

Excellent news! Hopefully he’s just backing himself to get a better deal over the next few years hence the only minor extension. Smart kid.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[VitalDread]

An extra year?? Would of hoped for atleast extra 2. Touch concerning

backing himself in for a big contract in 2020

 

[stefoid]

good.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

Has added four more years, now contracted until 2024.

 

[dogwatch]

Yes, please change the thread title to 2024. This is a great piece of news. Longer than I'd have expected.

 

[dergert]

Dalrymple was a gun.

 

[Leon]

You ****en beauty

 

[dogzrule]

Bloody Tom Boyd and his contract

 

[Maverick Dog]

This is a critical signing. Equally important to the team as Bont

 

[Wocka]

Rising star Aaron Naughton has signed a long-term deal with the Western Bulldogs.

The 19-year-old, who was contracted until the end of 2020, has put pen to paper on a four-year extension which will see him remain in the red, white and blue until at least the end of 2024.

Naughton has fast become an integral part of the Bulldogs’ line-up.

The West Australian was selected with pick nine in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, and in his 21 AFL matches has impressed as both a key defender and key forward.

General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power, said the Club was thrilled to have Naughton commit long-term.

“Aaron is only in his second year at AFL level and is already a critical member of our team. He clearly has a bright future in the game and is only going to keep improving,” Power said.

“His competitiveness, athleticism and ability to take contested marks make him an incredibly valuable player in today’s game. Finishing fourth in our best and fairest last season as a first-year player was an outstanding effort, and we have been excited by the way he can compete at both ends of the ground.

“Pleasingly, this has been a relatively quick process. It’s no surprise we were keen to lock Aaron in long-term, and the negotiations with his manager Andrew McDougall went really smoothly.

“We believe this re-signing demonstrates Aaron’s belief in the Club and where we are heading, and the environment that’s been created by the coaching group and playing group.

“To be able to lock in a young, key position player of his quality is extremely encouraging, as we continue to build for success as a Club.”

Naughton’s new deal follows the five-year extension of reigning best and fairest Lachie Hunter last month, and two-year extension of vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli late last year.

Emerging players Pat Lipinski, Lachie Young and Fergus Greene have also recently re-signed.

Naughton said he was looking forward to a long career as a Bulldog.

“I’m just loving it here at the footy club, so there was no reason not to sign up for an extension,” Naughton said.

“We’re a really young side that are really starting to gel together. I think we’ve already shown early in the year that when we do bring our best footy, it’s pretty exciting to watch and it’s good fun to go out there and play.

“Where I want to be in a couple of years, is just (being) a player that my teammates can rely on, that every week they know what they’re going to get out of me – whether that’s a strong contest up forward, or to be able to lock down a forward down back.

“It’s pretty special to me to be able to live out what I dreamed of as a kid. For the Bulldogs to give me the opportunity to play for their Club, I just want to repay that faith.”

 

[Mofra]

Yes, please change the thread title to 2024.

Done, and done with pure joy

 

[Tommycash]

Flip yeah. Gotta be happy with that! What a legend of a kid.

 

[SayerTheCreator]

Great news. Couldn't be happier with how this kid is tracking. Could be an absolute beast in 4-5 years.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

Sam Power seems to be going alright at this whole list management thing.