Western Bulldogs dealt brutal blow ahead of Fremantle clash

The Western Bulldogs are gearing up for a crunch clash with Fremantle on Friday night as Luke Beveridge’s side is clinging to a top six spot on the ladder.

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With the daunting trip to WA to face the Dockers seen as one of, if not the toughest, assignments in football right now, the Bulldogs would love to have all of their stars for the clash.

But as we know in football, things rarely go to plan.

And for the Bulldogs, they are going to be without a star up forward on Friday night.

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According to reporter Tom Morris, the Bulldogs will be without Aaron Naughton for the trip to Perth.

«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,» Morris wrote for SEN.com.

«Naughton will be assessed ahead of the club’s Round 22 game against North Melbourne.»

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Bulldogs in a bind

Currently sitting in seventh, if results don’t go the Bulldogs’ way this round, they could fall to ninth and be clinging to a finals spot.

That is less than ideal.

With the Dogs facing North Melbourne, Carlton, and Melbourne after Fremantle, they might have made a calculated decision to rest Naughton ahead of the final push towards finals.

Granted, having Naughton would have helped their chances in Perth, but giving him a week to rest and ease the burden on his body ahead of a potential finals series is the right move.

It just leaves the Dogs a little short on firepower going up against the best team in football.

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