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Star forward Aaron Naughton has signed the longest current contract in the AFL after recommitting to the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2032.
With a year still to run on his current deal, Naughton has extended his time at the Whitten Oval for another eight seasons.
The 23-year-old’s contract edges out the mammoth deals given to Sydney defender Nick Blakey (2031), and star Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver (2030), whose future with the Demons is now uncertain after a turbulent season.
Naughton grew up in Western Australia but has resisted approaches from West Coast and Fremantle to remain in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
“It’s a special moment for me to sign, particularly for my family,” Naughton said.
“To sign a long contract and to be here to stay, especially for my teammates as well, I want them to know I am in it with them together.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“When you get drafted by this club and they make you feel so welcome, not only myself, but the whole family back in WA, it’s fantastic.
“You build strong connections with all your teammates and I have some of my best mates here.
“I am bullish on this group and what we can achieve in the years to come. It is a lot of hard work and I know this group is willing to put in every day.”
While he was thrilled to ink such a long-term deal, AFL legend Kane Cornes pointing out on social media that Luke Breust, at 32, kicked more goals than Naughton this season, using the hashtag #contractcurse.
“This will not end well… On a positive note, at least he took Bjorn Borg’s stupid headband off for the photo.”
Cornes, a regular critic of clubs giving players long-term contracts, followed up on AFL Trade Radio on Thursday morning, saying eight years is a ‘huge price to pay’ for a player he questions is in the top 10 key forwards in the game.
“You are committing a huge amount of your salary cap to one player. He is a good player, but he isn’t a great player,” Cornes said.
“He is not Buddy Franklin or Dustin Martin, they are the guys I would give these long deals to.
“Is he a top 10 key forward right now? [Charlie] Curnow, [Nick] Larkey, [Taylor] Walker, [Tom] Hawkins, [Joe] Daniher, [Oscar] Allen, [Mitch] Lewis, [Tom] Lynch – I think Jamarra [Ugle-Hagan] has gone past him. Then there’s Max and Ben King too. Is Jesse Hogan a better player?
Naughton has led the Bulldogs goalkicking for the past two seasons, kicking 44.33 this year, and 142 across the past three campaigns.
He joined the club via pick nine in the 2017 draft, recruited originally as a defender, and has played 123 games.
“Aaron is an outstanding player and an exceptional person and there is no doubt this is an exciting day for the club and our members and fans,” Bulldogs list boss Sam Power said.
“We love what Aaron brings to this football club each and every day, so it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to agree on a long-term contract extension prior to the start of 2024.
“Aaron’s re-signing is another strong showing of confidence in the club’s long-term ambitions and culture.”
The Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing season as they failed to play finals for the first time since 2018.
with AAP
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