Naughton took a season-best five marks inside 50 once Darcy left the game, and is set to carry a significant load until Darcy returns.
Beveridge switched Buku Khamis into attack and sent James O’Donnell back at the start of Sunday’s game, while usual-defender Rory Lobb finished the match up forward and is an “option” to play there, but the coach said that was not his “plan A”.
Finding a back-up for English will also be a factor in Beveridge’s call. He hinted that Lobb would not be that man if he was playing in defence.
“[Lobb] will do anything for the team – he’s a great team man like that – and the other option is just to play a bit smaller at times,” Beveridge said.
“We obviously need a second ruck, and Sam can do that at times, and so whether it’s Buku or James or Aaron, at times – do we need someone else there to give him a chop out? It’s hard rucking from your back end with the secondary, but we’ll take that all into account, and we’ll pick a balanced team.”
The Bulldogs, who are in eighth spot with three wins from six games, face GWS at Manuka Oval on Saturday night, and Beveridge said their strong group of key-position players at both ends could impact selection.
They have other tall options who are yet to play at senior level if they go down that path.
Key defender Jedd Busslinger, who was an emergency against St Kilda, and 200-centimetre forward Jordan Croft are both first-round picks and highly touted.
It remains to be seen when Ugle-Hagan, who led the Dogs with 43 goals last year, will be in the selection mix again.
“[Ugle-Hagan playing] is not going to happen in the immediate term, so it’s probably not worth discussing at the moment. As far as any replacements go, we really can’t consider ‘Marra’,” Beveridge said.
