Beveridge claimed post-game there were "reasons why" Naughton was quiet in the second half after dominating early in the Bulldogs' victory over Gold Coast in Ballarat last Saturday.

The 2016 premiership coach admitted he had to be "careful" when discussing Naughton and his battle with key Suns defender Sam Collins, and Beveridge on Wednesday was asked a number of questions about the issue.

The 22-year-old has received just six free kicks for holding this season, while star Carlton forward Harry McKay has been given 12 despite playing two less games than Naughton.

"My thoughts on the day I didn't really express; I think I used the word careful," Beveridge said ahead of the Bulldogs' main training session on Wednesday.

"I got asked a couple of questions around Aaron's day and how it transpired.

"The last couple of weeks I've coached from the boundary, and whether Aaron had dropped off or was he defended in a better or different way, I wasn't totally sure.

"I've got two rules in my press conference, the number one rule is never throw your players under the bus and when I say I need to be careful, I need to make sure I look after Aaron, that's my absolute number one intention.

"We've looked at it, we've processed it, there might be some (decisions) in there that could be adjudicated a certain way and others that are fair play.

"It really hasn't been different to any other week.

"A couple of senior coaches have indicated they're going to talk to the AFL about what's happened in their game - I've never done that, as far as declaring we would do that.

"We take a real minimalist approach to when we talk to the umpiring department about what's happened in games, we understand how hard it is.

"I'll break my own information feed rule here that no we haven't spoken to the AFL, it's a swings and roundabouts things here.

"West Coast defenders, (we) are probably going to have to deal with something similar but we move on."

Naughton has kicked 25 goals this season and is seventh in the Coleman Medal race.

Meanwhile, Beveridge all but confirmed ruckman Tim English would come in to play struggling West Coast on Saturday night.

English has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury, then was knocked down by a severe flu that has sidelined numerous players at the Bulldogs.

Small forward Cody Weightman is also pushing to return against the Eagles despite breaking his collarbone less than three weeks ago.

Australian Associated Press