Aaron Naughton

Aaron Naughton
Naughton playing for the Western Bulldogs in April 2018
Personal information
Nicknames
  • Astronaught
  • Naughty
Born (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999
Frankston, Victoria
Original team Peel Thunder (WAFL)
Draft No. 9, 2017 national draft
Debut Round 1, 2018, Western Bulldogs vs. Greater Western Sydney, at Manuka Oval
Height 195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight 93 kg (205 lb)
Position Key forward
Club information
Current club Western Bulldogs
Number 33
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018– Western Bulldogs 180 (318)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
2026 Western Australia 1 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 14, 2026.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Aaron Naughton (born 30 November 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). Standing at 195cm, Naughton is a key position player who is renowned for his strong marking skills and can play both in defence and attack.

He is known by Bulldogs fans as the "AstroNaught" due to his surname and for his large leaps to grasp outstanding high-flying marks.[1][2]

Early years

Naughton was born in Frankston, Victoria to parents Gabby and Wayne Naughton, later moving with family to Langwarrin.[3] He has an older brother, Travis, who played high-level junior football but ultimately went undrafted.[3] At a young age, Naughton and his family moved to Rockingham, Western Australia.[4][5] He was educated at Kolbe Catholic College,[6] and played his junior football for the Rockingham Rams Football Club.[7] Following his time with the Rams, he played under-16s state football and then under-18s state football for Western Australia, catching the eye of draft scouts.[3] He played two under-18s matches in 2016, averaging 7.5 disposals and two marks, improving upon this in 2017, to average 14.8 disposals and 5.3 marks across four matches.[8] He also played for Peel Thunder throughout the 2016 and 2017 seasons, in both the Colts and Senior divisions. He played 13 games for the Colts division in 2016, averaging 4 marks and 14 disposals a game.[8] He then split his time between the Colts and Seniors in 2017, playing 7 matches in both divisions. He had his best game in the senior team in round 19 of the 2017 WAFL season, where he had 23 disposals and 11 marks.[9] Naughton narrowly missed playing in the Thunder's premiership victory over Subiaco, with ex-Fremantle footballer Zac Dawson selected ahead of him.[7]

AFL career

Naughton was drafted by the Western Bulldogs with their first selection and the ninth overall pick at the 2017 national draft.[10]

He made his debut in Round 1 of the 2018 season against Greater Western Sydney at UNSW Canberra Oval,[11] an 82-point loss. Naughton subsequently played 18 games in his debut season, finishing fourth in the club best-and-fairest count and winning the Chris Grant Best First Year Player Award. He also earned a Rising Star nomination for his performance against Richmond in Round 23.[12] Naughton was moved into the forward line at the beginning of the 2019 season. The move was an immediate success, with Naughton kicking 32 goals in his second year. He led the AFL for contested marks at the conclusion of the 2019 season, reaching a total of 53. His contested marking was best on display in round 7 against Richmond, claiming nine contested marks; one shy of the AFL record.[13] Naughton kicked a career-high six goals in the 12th round of the 2020 season against Adelaide.

Naughton had a career-best start to the 2021 season, kicking multiple goals in each game up to Round 9. He was named as one of the Bulldogs' best players in their narrow win over West Coast, kicking 3 goals, including the one which put them back in front in the final quarter.[14] He then had his best game for the season in Round 9, kicking 4 goals to help his team secure the win over Port Adelaide.[15][16]

Personal life

Naughton resides in Melbourne, with his girlfriend, fashion influencer Ella Morris;[17] with whom he has been in a relationship with since 2023,[18] and influencers and podcasters Steph and Holly Davey, the younger sisters of Collingwood AFLW footballer Bri Davey.[19]

Honours and achievements

Individual

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 14, 2026.[20]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2018 Western Bulldogs 33 18 2 1 130 78 208 77 38 0.1 0.1 7.2 4.3 11.6 4.3 2.1 0
2019 Western Bulldogs 33 23 32 27 170 80 250 132 42 1.4 1.2 7.4 3.5 10.9 5.7 1.8 7
2020[a] Western Bulldogs 33 12 15 6 46 38 84 42 9 1.3 0.5 3.8 3.2 7.0 3.5 0.8 3
2021 Western Bulldogs 33 25 47 40 186 94 280 153 39 1.9 1.6 7.4 3.8 11.2 6.1 1.6 0
2022 Western Bulldogs 33 22 51 34 179 77 256 103 47 2.3 1.5 8.1 3.5 11.6 4.7 2.1 6
2023 Western Bulldogs 33 23 44 33 180 87 267 100 59 1.9 1.4 7.8 3.8 11.6 4.3 2.6 2
2024 Western Bulldogs 33 20 35 14 148 81 229 101 21 1.8 0.7 7.4 4.1 11.5 5.1 1.1 4
2025 Western Bulldogs 33 23 60 27 189 82 271 124 45 2.6 1.2 8.2 3.6 11.8 5.4 2.0 6
2026 Western Bulldogs 33 14 32 19 95 57 152 60 25 2.3 1.4 6.8 4.1 10.9 4.3 1.8
Career 180 318 201 1323 674 1997 892 325 1.8 1.1 7.4 3.7 11.1 5.0 1.8 28

Notes

  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ^ Canil, Jourdan (16 August 2020). "AstroNaught reaches new heights as Dogs destroy Crows". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  2. ^ Canil, Jourdan (31 January 2020). "How the AstroNaught can launch into superstardom". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Robinson, Mark (12 April 2019). "Nothing stresses Aaron Naughton, as Mark Robinson finds out in his one-on-one chat with the Bulldogs". Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  4. ^ Pierik, Jon (30 August 2019). "Young Bulldog Naughton hoping to get his bite of the finals pie". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  5. ^ Daniels, Ryan (15 November 2017). "AFL Draft: WA prospect Aaron Naughton prefers Collingwood over Fremantle". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  6. ^ "Rockingham teen Aaron Naughton finishes fourth in Western Bulldogs' best and fairest awards, wins best first year player". Sound Telegraph. 4 October 2018. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  7. ^ a b Kirby, Aaron (22 September 2021). "Rockingham and Peel Thunder product Aaron Naughton to star in 2021 AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium". PerthNow. Mandurah Coastal Times. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Aaron Naughton – Player Profile". Rookie Me Central. 2016. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  9. ^ Rake, Justin (24 November 2017). "AFL Draft: Peel Thunder's Aaron Naughton becomes a Western Bulldog". Mandurah Mail. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  10. ^ Hope, Shayne (25 November 2017). "AFL draft 2017: Aaron Naughton targets a round-one debut at Western Bulldogs". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  11. ^ Rake, Justin (22 March 2018). "Peel football product Aaron Naughton to make AFL debut in round one". Mandurah Mail. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  12. ^ "2018 Sutton Medal: Macrae named domestique". Western Bulldogs. 4 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  13. ^ Beveridge, Riley (5 May 2019). ""Jesus Christ would've struggled on him": Dog makes his mark". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  14. ^ Twomey, Callum (28 March 2021). "What a game! Bont inspires Dogs in an instant classic". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  15. ^ "Round 9 Report: Dogs down Power on the road". Western Bulldogs. 15 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  16. ^ Michael, Luke (16 May 2021). "Brilliant Bulldogs bare their teeth in powerful win over Port". AFL Media. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  17. ^ Margolius, Zach (26 October 2024). "AFL off-season: Where in the world are your favourite Eagles and Dockers holidaying in their downtime". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 26 October 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  18. ^ Balaam, Kellie; Zach Margolius, Zach (13 February 2026). "AFL Origin: Who are the women behind WA's star-studded outfit taking on the Vics?". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  19. ^ Davey, Holly; Davey, Steph; Morris, Ella; Davey, Bri (20 January 2026). It's always a proud moment when they settle into being one of the girls #funny #family #storytime #fyp #foryou #girls @Ella @Aaron Naughton @Brianna Davey (video) (TikTok). Melbourne: self-published. Retrieved 11 June 2026 – via TikTok.
  20. ^ "Aaron Naughton". AFL Tables. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
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