Injured Western Bulldogs star learns fate

Western Bulldogs will breathe a sigh of relief after key forward Aaron Naughton escaped a season-ending ACL injury.

Scans have revealed the Bulldogs leading goalkicker suffered no damage to his anterior cruciate ligament but will miss four to six weeks with a medial ligament strain.

The 24-year-old had made a bright start to the Bulldogs’ loss to the Swans and kicked an impressive right-foot snap goal from the pocket before his right leg was caught in a tackle during the second quarter.

He was helped off the field by trainers and unable to return to the clash, leaving the Bulldogs with only two on the bench once both Ed Richards and Anthony Scott were ruled out due to concussion.

“Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton has sustained a moderate grade medial ligament injury to his right knee, scans have confirmed,” a club statement read on Friday.

“There has been no damage to his ACL. The club will work through a return to play plan in coming days but expects to be without the 24-year-old for at least the next four to six weeks.”

Outside the top eight with a 5-6 record, the Bulldogs will be without Naughton for a tough run of games against Collingwood, Brisbane and Fremantle leading into their round 15 bye.

More to come.