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Bont backs in Jamarra’s future at Dogs | 02:20

Western Bulldogs livewire Cody Weightman hopes his new leadership position will “act as a distraction” while he is sidelined for the first half of the season with a congenital knee condition.

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After playing in the Bulldogs’ match simulation hit-out against Essendon last Saturday, the club deemed the 24-year-old required surgery to correct his bipartite patella, which involves a false joint that sits within his kneecap bone.

As a result, Weightman, an integral cog in the Dogs’ exciting forward set-up, will spend at least three months out of action. He joins fellow walk-up starters Adam Treloar (calf) and Liam Jones (hamstring) on the sidelines, while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal) remains without a timeline for return. Veteran Jason Johannisen (hamstring) is also currently out of action.

The Dandenong Stingrays product, who was this pre-season elevated into the Bulldogs’ leadership group, explained that while he finds himself out of action for an extended period, he plans to play a crucial off-field role as the club aims to start fast in 2025.

“I’ll be trotting around pretty slowly for a while, so I won’t be out on the track too much. I’m going in for surgery (on Wednesday),” he told foxfooty.com.au.

“(It’s) exciting to be put into the leadership group this year, (I) had my first day in the leadership group meetings (on Tuesday) and really enjoyed that.

“I think that’ll be something that’s going to act as a distraction (from the injury), and something where I feel like I can stay attached to the group, because you can get isolated in rehab and feel like you’re not having a significant role — at least (with regards to) gameday impact.

“So, to be able to help with the environment and little things like that, I think it’s going to be nice to try and support ‘skip’ (Marcus Bontempelli), ‘Libba’ (Tom Liberatore) and ‘Naughty’ (Aaron Naughton) and those guys and take the workload off them when they’re busy with their weekends and their lives.

“I’m going to have a bit more time, so hopefully there’s a little role where I can come in and offload them with a bit of support and spend some time with the younger guys or the guys who are playing in my role.”

Amid a 2024 campaign where he missed the middle portion due to a dislocated elbow, Weightman registered 27 goals from 17 appearances — including an equal-career-high six goals in Round 2 against Gold Coast — as the Dogs won eight of their last 10 games to make the finals.

Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs will again need to supplement in the forward half to again fill the void left by Weightman, and the crafty goalkicker believes a few teammates could see enhanced opportunity.

In particular, Riley Garcia — who re-signed at the Kennel for three further seasons at the end of last year — Lachie McNeil and Rhylee West.

“Hopefully that’s Artie Jones or Riley Garcia or someone like this, and hopefully I can watch their edits and help them develop the way that I’m trying to. And when I’m back, hopefully we can play together and work on that,” Weightman continued.

“Not many fans (of opposition teams) would probably know about (Garcia) or know his potential, but he’s come a long way.

“He’s (been) behind our really established midfielders for the past few years and obviously losing Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel, there’s opportunity hopefully coming up for him and a few others.”

The fifth-year forward played a career-high 12 senior games last season, including one as the unused substitute, and drew rival interest prior to his contract renewal due to his relentless forward-half tackling pressure and nous in congestion.

Cody Weightman believes Riley Garcia is primed for big things in 2025. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Weightman is also high on fellow smaller types McNeil and West to help plug holes in the forward third.

“I think Lachie McNeil still is in and out a little bit with the sub role and stuff, but he’s looking like he’s really going to cement his spot this year,” he said.

“He’s worked really hard on his game and his role for our team, and he’s looking like he’s having a really good pre-season and got that real confidence.

“I think having that extra small forward out of the team probably gives him a bit more room to really establish himself and not get squeezed out here and there. So, I’m looking forward to seeing his development and how he can roll on.

“Rhylee West (is) probably the same, he’s had a really good off-season. Missed the back end of last year being out of the team, and hopefully that’s the last time he’s out of the team — I think he’s a great player, and it looks like he’s going to get more opportunity the way he’s going.”

Lachlan McNeil is among the Dogs’ small forwards that Weightman believes will make a leap in 2025. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Ultimately, for Weightman, it will be another interrupted season as the Dogs prepare to attack the new campaign in a contract year for Beveridge, who has external doubters but is adored internally.

“It’ll be a little bit different for me, I’ve never missed a big chunk of the season, so I’m not looking forward to it, but hopefully the boys can get the job done early in the first half of the season and I can try and give us a little boost on the way home,” Weightman said.

“I’ve said this a few times, I’m so lucky to have only had one coach in my career so far. In my six years I’ve had the luxury of stability, and I think people probably underestimate how lucky that is.

“Looking at mates at other clubs that have had new coaches, it can really shake a group and make it harder for players.

“I’m very fortunate to have Bevo as (my) coach. I’m sure there’s outside noise, but internally we’ve fully got his back and he’s a coach that I’ve spoken about quite a lot and our relationship. I fully back him to be able to coach us to (another) premiership.

Weightman spoke glowingly of his relationship with his coach. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“He’s wired differently, he keeps the group guessing and he’s an exciting coach. He keeps us thinking and often challenges us in the best ways. I’m incredibly grateful for his impact on my career so far, (and) I’m looking forward to the impact that he’s got left on this group.”

The Bulldogs will travel to Launceston to play Hawthorn in their Community Series game before opening their home-and-away account against North Melbourne on March 15.

Crunch clashes with Collingwood, Carlton, Fremantle and reigning premiers Brisbane follow amid a telling litmus test to start the campaign.