The Western Bulldogs will be without key forward Aaron Naughton for next week's clash with Carlton after he was subbed out of Saturday's meeting with Port Adelaide due to concussion.
Naughton came from the field in the early stages of the second term of the game at Adelaide Oval following a head knock earlier in the game, with the Dogs eventually ruling their star forward out of returning to the contest.
Listing concussion as the concern for Naughton as he was replaced by tactical sub Joel Freijah, the Dogs tall is expected to enter the AFL's mandated concussion protocols and will be unable to return to the field and full training for at least 12 days.
That will mean Naughton will miss next weekend's matchup against Carlton, with a return expected the week after when the Dogs face Geelong at Kardinia Park on July 20.
We've activated our sub ๐
Aaron Naughton is out (concussion) for Joel Freijah— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) July 6, 2024
Bulldogs defender James O'Donnell faced a similar fate in the third term, with high knock from Port Adelaide's Todd Marshall enough to have the Dogs backman ruled out of the game with concussion also.
The absence of both O'Donnell and Naughton could force a structural shuffle for the Dogs, who have moved Rory Lobb to defence as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy also hold down roles in Luke Beveridge's attacking 50.
The Bulldogs could have key defender Alex Keath back in the next fortnight as he recovers from a hamstring injury, while premiership player Jason Johannisen is also in line for a return in the coming weeks with a similar injury.
