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Bulldog blow: Key forward stocks take a hit ahead of crunch Freo clash
Tom Morris •  July 29th, 2026 1:00 pm
The Western Bulldogs have been dealt a blow ahead of their clash against Fremantle, with Aaron Naughton ruled out of the Friday night fixture.
The 26-year-old has been battling soreness in recent weeks and despite completing a portion of Tuesday's main session, will be managed for the trip to his home state.
Naughton will be assessed ahead of the club's Round 22 game against North Melbourne.
It’s a bitter blow against the ladder leaders, with Naughton leading the forward line in the absence of injured young gun Sam Darcy, kicking 42 goals for the season.
His teammates will board a lunchtime flight to Perth on Wednesday, hoping to upset the ladder leaders on their home patch.
Friday's match will be the Dogs' last travel assignment for the season. They've won four of their six games outside of Victoria in 2026.
After North Melbourne next Thursday, Luke Beveridge's men will host Carlton before facing Melbourne on the last Saturday of the home and away season.
Naughton has played 185 games for the Dogs, leading the club's goals tally in three of the last four seasons.
