Matthew Lloyd has called upon Western Bulldogs key forward Aaron Naughton to find the next gear in his career in front of goal.
The 24-year-old has played 127 games in the red, white and blue, but has struggled to find form in the early stages of the 2024 season.
The Bulldogs sit 2-2 after four rounds, with Naughton having minimal impact in front of goal so far.
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Lloyd declared it is easy to crack the tall’s game style and believes that some sides have already figured him out just a month into the season.
“I feel like if you stop his run and jump, what else can he do?” Lloyd said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
“How can Naughton kick more goals? How can he contribute?”
In 2024, Naughton has kicked just four goals across four games. The forward kicked one goal in their 45-point loss to Melbourne in round one, two goals in their 48-point win over the Suns the following week, one against the Eagles in their 76-point victory and none in their four-point loss to the Cats on Saturday night.
After his 127 games, Naughton has kicked 195 goals.
In comparison, by the time Geelong triple premiership forward Tom Hawkins reached 123 games, he had already booted 218 goals.
Meantime, in 110 games, Blues star Charlie Curnow, who has won two Coleman medals, kicked 224 majors.
Richmond premiership hero Jack Riewoldt had 290 goals in 134 matches.
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Put simply, Lloyd doesn’t believe the youngster has the X-factor that can guide the Bulldogs to a second premiership in the modern era.
“I think he’s a fantastic pressure player, kicks the odd snap around his body, but I don’t think he has the tricks to his game that Charlie Curnow has, that Jeremy Cameron has to his game,” he said.
“I think he’s easy to stop. I don’t think he has the natural football smarts.”
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Originally drafted as a key defender, the Bulldogs have put their hope into continuing to develop Naughton as a key forward.
The 195cm forward signed a mega nine-year deal at the end of last season.
It equals the longest deal in history of Sydney’s Lance Franklin.
Naughton will be paid about $10 million over his nine years, meaning he will make just over $1 million each season.