DAVID King believes the Western Bulldogs must save Aaron Naughton from himself.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs forward landed awkwardly and suffered a concussion after flying for a mark late in the second quarter of his side\u2019s 29-point win over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.<\/p>\n
As a result of the head knock, Naughton will serve the AFL\u2019s 12-day concussion protocol and will miss next weekend\u2019s meeting with the in-form Sydney Swans.<\/p>\n
Regarding Naughton\u2019s reckless flying nature, King feels it is time for the Dogs to step in and educate him to be more careful in the air.<\/p>\n
King asked on SEN Breakfast, \u201cDoes Luke Beveridge have to temper Aaron Naughton?<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes he have to save him from himself? Does he have to say to him, \u2018Listen mate, we love the way you attack the footy, we love the way you contested mark, we love the way you run back with the flight, all those things we love\u2019,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we don\u2019t love it at the expense of your own health and safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis guy is a bit reckless with his own body. He lands on his head a lot. He lands hard a lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen Dixon made the point that maybe he needs to learn how to land. He needs to be re-educated.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t forget this guy played a lot of footy at centre half-back. So he\u2019s all rip, tear and bust as a forward. It is unreal to watch, as a spectacle it\u2019s fantastic, it\u2019s everything we love about the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this guy is the reason you\u2019re going to win the flag.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you have a responsibility to work with him to say, \u2018Look, some of these marks you\u2019re flying for, is there a need to go for 10 a week?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cMy point is not on one specific mark. This guy does it regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n
King referenced the great Wayne Carey and how he was able to avoid big head knocks despite his reckless abandon in contested marking situations.<\/p>\n
Naughton is such an integral part of the Doggies\u2019 attacking set up that King does not want to see him missing games of footy as a result of his intent to launch himself at the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a conversation you need to have. Everyone says he plays like Wayne Carey. Wayne knew how to land, he knew how to protect his body from the jarring, the crushing blows,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t just mean concussion. You regularly see him [Naughton] doubled over on the ground after a huge contest. It\u2019s admirable, I\u2019m loving the way he is playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut do you have to re-educate this guy on landing to protect him from himself or to just temper his unbelievable desire to fly for everything?\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite Naughton\u2019s wars, the Doggies got the job done over the Kangaroos, regaining their spot at the top of the ladder in the process.<\/p>\n