Aaron Naughton is focusing on his goal kicking accuracy heading into 2022.
The Western Bulldogs key forward took the most contested marks and ranked second in most marks inside 50 in 2021, allowing him an impressive 87 shots on goal last year.
However, he only slotted 47 majors. Of the 12 players to kick 46 or more goals last year, Naughton’s conversion rate of 54 per cent was the lowest.
Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch had the best conversion percentage at 71, while almost all of the game’s premier forwards were in the 60s.
Naughton has recognised that his accuracy isn’t where it needs to be, revealing he took steps last year to fix what he noticed was a consistent problem.
“He’s moved on, but our forward line coach last year, Ash Hansen, probably halfway through the year we sat down and we had a look at where I was getting my shots and where I was missing,” he told Sportsday.
“I was obviously missing a few more goals than I would have liked… just to the left-hand side of the post (was my normal miss).
“They all sort of went straight, so it was more of an alignment thing for me.
“As he said, it was a good problem to have. I was generating the shots, so I’d rather have plenty of shots and miss a few more than have no shots at all.”
The 22-year-old Bulldog's 2021 season was his best to date, and his youth suggests there’s plenty of development to come.
While he was hesitant to put a number of the majors he’d like in 2022, he settled on a figure he’s yet to surpass in his career.
“I don’t know, at least 50 (goals) would be nice. I’ll go with that,” he said when prompted.
“Hopefully that’s what happens this year (improved accuracy), I’ve been working on it pretty hard in the off-season and the pre-season.”
Naughton kicked 2.1 from 12 disposals in the Bulldogs scratch match against Essendon on Wednesday.