WESTERN Bulldogs young gun Aaron Naughton has committed his long-term future to the club by penning a four-year contract extension.
Naughton was already tied to the Kennel until the end of next season but has been locked away until at least 2024.
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The 19-year-old, a product of WAFL club Peel Thunder, has shown his value as a rising star of the competition in 21 career games.
Drafted as a key defender with pick No.9 in 2017, the 195cm tall has evolved into a strong-marking forward and booted five goals in three matches this season.
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"I’m just loving it here at the footy club, so there was no reason not to sign up for an extension," Naughton said.
"We’re a really young side that are really starting to gel together. I think we’ve already shown early in the year that when we do bring our best footy, it’s pretty exciting to watch and it’s good fun to go out there and play.
"Where I want to be in a couple of years, is just (being) a player that my teammates can rely on, that every week they know what they’re going to get out of me – whether that’s a strong contest up forward, or to be able to lock down a forward down back.
"It’s pretty special to me to be able to live out what I dreamed of as a kid. For the Bulldogs to give me the opportunity to play for their club, I just want to repay that faith."
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Dogs recruiting and list general manager Sam Power hailed Naughton as a "critical" member of the side in just his second year.
"He clearly has a bright future in the game and is only going to keep improving," Power said.
"His competitiveness, athleticism and ability to take contested marks make him an incredibly valuable player in today’s game.
"Finishing fourth in our best and fairest last season as a first-year player was an outstanding effort, and we have been excited by the way he can compete at both ends of the ground."
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Naughton's extension follows Charles Sutton medallist Lachie Hunter inking a five-year deal last month and a two-year contract for star Marcus Bontempelli late last season.
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