Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge insists spearhead Aaron Naughton isn’t judged on goals alone after kicking just four across the opening month of the AFL season.
Naughton, 24, has been a focal point of the Bulldogs’ attack and last year signed a bumper nine-year extension to remain at Whitten Oval.
But this season, Cody Weightman (11 goals), Marcus Bontempelli (seven), Sam Darcy (six) and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (six) have proved more potent.
Part of that has been due to Naughton, who kicked at least 40 goals in his past three seasons, pushing up the ground.
But after Naughton was goalless against Geelong, Beveridge noted he was “outstanding” against Gold Coast and West Coast, with high score involvements, contested marks and workrate.
Naughton is ranked elite in the AFL for score involvements (7.3) and goal assists (1.3) and marks on the lead (1.5).
“We don’t judge his games on how many times he kicks it between the two big sticks,” Beveridge said ahead of Friday night’s clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium.
“Love him to be kicking more for his own sake. But when the team’s averaged over 100 points, the last three rounds, no one’s happier than that as far as being a leader and a team player than Aaron Naughton.
“So we’ve got to remember Cody Weightman kicked six against Gold Coast. Some of the other boys are getting a kick.
“The best teams and the teams that challenge at the end of the year are the ones who have multiple goalkickers who share and spread that responsibility and we want to be one of those teams.
“We don’t expect Aaron to kick four or five goals every week.
“I’m sure in the games coming up that he’s going to kick multiples (goals) and he’s going to really hit the scoreboard, and that’s OK if we’re winning.”
Beveridge wouldn’t be drawn on whether stalwart Caleb Daniel, who was the substitute in round one and substituted against the Cats, would make way.
He conceded Daniel’s versatility had likely counted against him, given he hadn’t settled in a particular area.
“I suppose the team’s needs have come before Caleb’s to a degree and that’s always hard for a player to process and deal with,” he said.
“But as you’d expect in such a great character and with great integrity, he’ll always process things in accordance with what’s best for the team.
“He’ll probably spend a bit of time at half-back.
“If he plays state league, and maybe it is a period of time where he spends some time there, it just depends on who’s playing well in different areas at AFL level, and where he in the end gets his claws into the competition again.
“And we’ve got no doubt that that’ll happen but there’s no need to do anything at the moment.”
Beveridge wouldn’t confirm whether midfielder Jack Macrae would hold his spot after he was overlooked for the opening two weeks, then named substitute against Geelong.
