As far as Josh Bruce is concerned, Aaron Naughton has a license to fly – and to sit on his head in any game he likes.

Naughton is making an almost weekly habit of taking mark of the year contenders, adding another to his collection in an impressive performance against Port Adelaide on the weekend.

And Bruce is all-too-happy to be the step-ladder.

“At least I’ll be in the vision then,” he said with a laugh, on SEN 1116 on Monday.

“I’ll be in highlights for all of time which will be good – he might be on my head though!”

The Bulldogs’ forward line has been dangerous on multiple fronts so far this season.

Bruce (27 goals) is equal-second in the Coleman Medal race and Naughton is only a handful of goals behind, in equal-seventh with 22 majors.

Their partnership has been fruitful in 2021 in a new-look forward structure, which has at times included Tim English as a third tall, but also added speed at ground level in the likes of Jason Johannisen, Laitham Vandermeer and first-year duo Lachie McNeil and Anthony Scott.

Naughton’s continued development has made a big impact, according to Bruce.

“He’s a freak, he’s coming on in leaps and bounds,” he said.

“He’s been able to have a full pre-season and so far – touch wood – he’s played every game.

“I think that continuity of us training together all summer long and playing together for an extended period of time now, we’re really starting to gel well, work out each other’s games and the nuances in each other’s games.

“It’s a really exciting prospect… he’s 21, he’s got another 10 years left in him and he’s already taking hangers every week and he’s kicked 20-plus goals.

“He’s going really well and I love playing alongside him.”