The Western Bulldogs can now relax knowing that Aaron Naughton, their star goalie, did not sustain an ACL injury that would have ended the season. However, he will miss four to six weeks due to a strain in his medial ligament, according to scans.
Before his right leg was hooked in a tackle in the second quarter of the Bulldogs’ defeat to the Swans, the 24-year-old had had a strong start to the game. He had also scored an amazing right-foot snap goal from the pocket.
He was helped off the field by trainers and unable to return to the fight, leaving the Bulldogs with only two on the bench once both Ed Richards and Anthony Scott were ruled out due to concussion.
A club statement on Friday stated, “Scans have confirmed that Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton has sustained a moderate grade medial ligament injury to his right knee.”
“There has been no damage to his ACL. The club will work through a return to play plan in coming days but expects to be without the 24-year-old for at least the next four to six weeks.”
With a 5-6 record and below the top eight, the Bulldogs will play a difficult stretch of games against Collingwood, Brisbane, and Fremantle before receiving a round 15 bye. Naughton will be out from those games.
