Kane Cornes blasts 'outrageous' Aaron Naughton contract extension fiasco

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has taken a dig at the Western Bulldogs for re-signing Aaron Naughton until the end of 2032, following the drama surrounding Clayton Oliver. The club announced the signing on Wednesday evening with Naughton signing a contract extension for another eight years, on top of the one year left on his current contract.

The tall goal-kicker surpassed Sydney Swans star Nick Blakey for having the longest contract in the AFL. Naughton has been stellar for the Bulldogs having kicked 191 goals in 123 games since being drafted in 2017.

'DISRESPECTED': Key detail called out after Collingwood's triumph

'DID IT ON PURPOSE': Debate erupts after Collingwood act comes to light

He has led the way in goal kicking for the Western Bulldogs across the last two years with having kicked 44.33 in 2023. However, long contracts have come under the spotlight in recent months as Demons star Oliver has been the centre of speculation he could be on the move.

Oliver signed a seven-year, $7 million deal with the Demons and reportedly a number of clubs have enquired about acquiring the 26-year-old. According to Tom Morris of SEN: "The Demons will not allow their gun on-baller to leave for anything less than what they believe he is worth, given he is contracted until the end of 2030."

Club great Garry Lyon spoke out about the fears of Oliver leaving the Demons, despite his long term contract. And Naughton's deal had the AFL world reeling. Port Adelaide legend Warren Tredrea was candid when reacting to the length of the contract.

“Footy world has gone mad,” he wrote. Cornes was critical of the extension and even made the suggestion Naughton wasn't one of the top goal kickers in 2023.

"8 years - someone tell them that 32 year-old small fwd Luke Breust kicked more goals than him this year. This will not end well," he wrote.

Cornes expanded on where Naughton placed in the league for forwards.

“Is he a top-10 forward in the league right now? These are the forwards I’ve got ahead of him currently: (Charlie) Curnow, (Jeremy) Cameron, (Nick) Larkey, (Taylor) Walker, (Tom) Hawkins, (Joe) Daniher, Oscar Allen, Mitch Lewis, I think Jamarra (Ugle-Hagan) has gone past him and Tom Lynch when he’s fit. Now that’s just right now, not considering age and upside and all of that,” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio.

“And then he’s in the mix with the likes of Max and Ben King. Is Jesse Hogan a better player than Aaron Naughton. These are the types of things you’ve got to look at as a footy club. Can we get 45 goals from someone else on a two-year contract that’s going to cost you half the price? That’s what Collingwood have been so successful at."

AFL fans erupted on social media over the length of contract for Naughton with many Bulldogs fans thrilled to have locked him in for .

Aaron Naughton thrilled at contract extension

Despite the drama surrounding long contracts in the AFL, Naughton was nothing but thrilled to have signed a deal that will set him up for the remainder of his career. "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. "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."

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.