AARON Naughton was left stunned when thrown forward by the versatility-demanding Luke Beveridge in recent weeks, but the impressive Western Bulldogs draftee is embracing the challenge.

Naughton has spent most of his career playing as an intercepting key defender, and made his debut for the Bulldogs in that role in round one.

An ankle injury in round eight ended his eye-catching stint down back, because when he returned from a month on the sidelines, Beveridge had other ideas for the 18-year-old.

"I wasn't too sure what was going to happen when I can back from the injury, but I was shocked when I was pushed forward in a drill at training," Naughton told AFL.com.au.

"I thought I was just making up the numbers, and then after training Bevo told me I would be playing forward.

"He said I just needed to provide a contest, bring my work rate and try and take a few marks.

"It's a new role, but very exciting and I'm learning a lot.

"I played more games a defender thus far in my career, so I'll have to wait a while until I can class myself as a key forward."

A two-goal haul in round 14 against North Melbourne was encouraging, and the experiment has also coincided with customary stopper Zaine Cordy reprising a role in attack he performed so importantly during the club's premiership season of 2016.

The successful return of key defenders Dale Morris and Marcus Adams from injury is likely see Beveridge persist with the duo in attack.

Kicking was one of the few question marks over Naughton heading into last year's NAB AFL Draft, but the perceived flaw didn't stop the Dogs from pouncing on the West Australian with pick nine.

Plenty of time on the training track with development manager Rohan Smith has paid dividends, with a once wonky ball drop now more refined.

"My kicking was the main knock on me coming into the draft, and it was something I needed to improve on a bit, but I think the standard of training here at the Dogs has improved it," Naughton said.

"I've worked with Rohan Smith on my ball drop, and we've focused getting over the footy.

"It's mainly the short kicks of mine that can be a bit loopy, and I'm trying to eliminate those from my game."

Despite settling quickly into the city where he was born and that was his home for the first nine years of his life, Naughton still considers himself a West Australian, but he expects that will eventually change, as he doesn't see himself leaving Whitten Oval anytime soon.

"I see my future at the Bulldogs because I've come into a really young group that's really starting to build something," Naughton said.

"The rise of players like Toby McLean, Ed Richards, Billy Gowers and Bailey Williams are driving the standard.

"This season hasn't been up to the standard that we'd like, but I think in the coming years it's going to be very exciting."