Western Bulldogs announce MONSTER extension for star tall

The Western Bulldogs have announced the extension of key forward Aaron Naughton to a new eight-year deal, locking him in at the Kennel until the end of the 2032 season.

The club announced the major retention signing on Wednesday night, with the Western Australian the first of many key re-signings the Dogs will be looking to work through over the next 12 months.

Naughton said his decision was a “special moment” and that he looked forward to the future in the blue, white and red.

“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. To play alongside these guys for the years to come is really exciting.

“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.”

Naughton has played 123 games for the Bulldogs since his debut in 2018, booting a total of 191 goals to lead the club’s goalkicking for the past two seasons.

The 23-year-old is the first major retention coup for the Dogs ahead of what will be a crucial year for the club’s list management team, with Tim English, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Bailey Smith, among others, coming off-contract in 2024.

Bulldogs list manager Sam Power expressed his delight in Naughton’s decision to re-sign long-term.

“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,” 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, alongside his manager Andrew McDougall at Corporate Sports Australia.

“Aaron’s re-signing is another strong showing of confidence in the Club’s long-term ambitions and culture.

“Aaron continues to be a vital leader amongst the group, setting the benchmark on and off the field as the Club looks to climb back up the ladder.

“We see Aaron as a huge part of the Bulldogs’ future, being only 23 years of age, and we’re delighted our supporters can watch him run out for years to come.”

Having joined the club via the 2017 National Draft, Naughton’s contract will take him to his 15th year with the club when it expires.

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Western Bulldogs great Tony Liberatore has admitted he assaulted an election worker ahead of the 2022 Victorian election after she told him he was too late to vote.

Liberatore, who played 283 games over a 16-year AFL career, appeared remotely before the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

He was beamed into the court on video link from his car, with his lawyer explaining Liberatore had been discharged from hospital only hours earlier after surgery on a broken ankle.

The court was told both the police prosecutor and defence agreed the case was suitable for diversion, which allows a first-time or low-level offender to avoid a criminal conviction.

The 57-year-old grandfather admitted he twice pushed a pre-poll election worker over shortly after 6pm on November 25, 2022.

He had attended the Essendon booth to early vote but was told he’d missed the cut-off by five minutes and would have to come back another day, according to a summary of the offending.

The court was told the election worker allowed him to vote to “de-escalate” the situation but informed Liberatore she would call police.

During an interview, Liberatore told police he had “moved around the woman”.

“I’m standing in line and she’s walked over her with her accent and said no,” he said.

The victim was unhurt and agreed with Liberatore being placed on diversion, the court was told.