Western Bulldogs star forward Aaron Naughton is shaping to be available to face Fremantle on Friday night after surviving Thursday night’s scary tumble virtually unscathed.

Naughton sent ripples of fear through the injury-ravaged Dogs, coming down on his neck after an attempt at a high-flying mark against the Swans at Marvel Stadium.

Fortunately, he was cleared of spinal damage and concussion on Friday, and according to Channel 7 Melbourne reporter Mitch Cleary, he trained with the rehabilitation group at Whitten Oval on Monday morning.

He didn’t participate in any skill drills, but ran freely in good signs.

On Thursday night, Naughton launched himself into the air as a missed set shot fell short of the goal-line, but had his legs taken out by Swans defender Will Edwards running the other way, sending him into a forward flip.

He landed heavily on his neck and was taken for immediate medical assessment via stretcher.

However, in a statement released by Western Bulldogs on Friday afternoon, it was revealed Naughton had avoided structural damage to his neck or spine.

“Scans have cleared Aaron Naughton of any serious structural damage to his neck,” the statement read.

“The forward has some muscle spasm and pain associated with the injury. He has no signs of concussion symptoms.

“Naughton will be monitored over the coming days to determine his availability for Friday’s game against Fremantle.”

It’s a much-needed bout of good fortune for the Bulldogs, who have had a wretched run with injury in 2026, turning their hot start into a downward plummet.

The Dogs currently have eight of their best 22 in the medical ward, including star spearhead Sam Darcy, whose season was cut short by an ACL rupture.

Add to that having to trade away former No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to Gold Coast, and the Bulldogs will be left with slim pickings to take against Fremantle’s in-form defence, led by skipper Alex Pearce, should Rockingham-product Naughton not feature.

Tom Liberatore and Tim English are also on the injury list alongside Cody Weightman and Riley Garcia, who are out indefinitely.

Liberatore was not spotted on the training track on Monday, with midfield superstar Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards also no-shows.

The club has lost their previous two matches by more than 65 points after starting the campaign with four straight wins that placed them four points clear at the top of the table.