Cody Weightman

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Cody Weightman

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|1|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria

| originalteam = Dandenong Stingrays/Haileybury/Beaconsfield

| draftpick = No. 15, 2019 AFL draft, {{AFL WB}}

| debutdate = 17 July 2020

| debutteam = {{AFL WB}}

| debutopponent = {{AFL Ess}}

| debutstadium = Metricon Stadium

| height = 177 cm

| weight = 73 kg

| position = Forward

| currentclub = {{AFL WB}}

| guernsey = 3

| years1 = 2020–

| club1 = {{AFL WB}}

| games_goals1 = 74 (125)

| statsend = round 23, 2024

| careerhighlights =

22under22 team: 2023
AFL Rising Star nominee: 2021

| nickname = Flea{{cite web|title=Dogs' cult hero focusing on 'flea-like' moves to keep spot in best 22|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/643488/dogs-cult-hero-cody-weightman-focusing-on-flea-like-moves-to-cement-spot|date=6 July 2021|work=AFL Media|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1008067/flea-ready-for-finals-fever|title=Flea ready for finals fever|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=31 August 2021|date=26 August 2021}}

}}

Cody Weightman (born 15 January 2001) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by the Western Bulldogs with the 15th draft pick in the 2019 AFL draft.

Early life

Weightman was born in Melbourne and grew up on a farm in Pakenham on the outskirts of Melbourne.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-31 |title=Selling cows, wish chips and the Tiger mentoring top draft prospect |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/132409/selling-cows-wish-chips-and-the-tiger-mentoring-top-draft-prospect |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}} He participated in the Auskick program at Officer.AFL Record. Round 2, 2022. pg 37 He played his junior football for Beaconsfield.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=Cody Weightman |url=https://www.zerohanger.com/afl/players/cody-weightman/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Zero Hanger |language=en-US}} Weightman captained his school's first XVIII side at Haileybury, where he was coached by Australian Football Hall of Famer Matthew Lloyd.{{cite web|title=Cody Weightman|work=Aussie Rules Draft Central|url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/player/cody-weightman/|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}{{cite news|title=Draft reward for willing Weightman|work=Westernbulldogs.com.au|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/308345/draft-reward-for-willing-weightman/|date=28 November 2019|access-date=23 July 2020|language=english}} He also played for the Dandenong Stingrays in the NAB League, and was selected to play for Vic Country in the AFL Under 18 Championships.{{cite web|title=Cody Weightman - About Me|work=Pickstar|url=https://pickstar.com.au/our-stars/6156/cody-weightman|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}} Weightman played 4 games with Vic Country, and had two stand-out games. His first came against the Allies on 9 June 2019, where he kicked 4 goals, had 16 disposals and 6 marks to help his team to a 97-point victory.{{cite web|title=Allies vs Vic Country|url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/event/allies-vs-vic-country-3/|date=9 June 2019|access-date=4 September 2019|work=Aussie Rules Draft Central}} He also had another 4-goal haul against South Australia on 28 June 2019, his 4 goals and 12 disposals{{cite web|title=Vic Country vs South Australia|url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/event/vic-country-vs-south-australia-2/|work=Aussie Rules Draft Central|date= 28 June 2019|access-date=4 September 2021}} helping the team get over the line by a singular point.{{cite web|title=Scouting notes: AFL U18 Championships – Vic Country vs. South Australia|url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2019/07/01/scouting-notes-afl-u18-championships-vic-country-vs-south-australia/|work=Aussie Rules Draft Central|date=1 July 2019|access-date=4 September 2021|last1=Alvaro|first1=Michael}} He was selected for the 2019 Under-18 All Australian side on the interchange bench,{{cite web|title=REVEALED: The 2019 U18 All Australian team|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/129391/revealed-the-2019-u18-all-australian-team/|access-date=23 July 2020|language=english}} after he kicked the most goals out of any player in the tournament, finishing with 9 from 4 games.{{cite web|title=2019 National Championships - Statistics|url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/national-championships/|work=Aussie Rules Draft Central|access-date=4 September 2021}} After finishing his schooling, Weightman went to Bali in Indonesia, where he played for the Bali Geckos, describing it as a way to "just to decompress, really,".{{cite web|title=Cows, surfing, art: Cody Weightman takes the scenic route at the Bulldogs|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cows-surfing-art-cody-weightman-takes-the-scenic-route-at-the-bulldogs-20210902-p58o5k.html|work=The Age|last1=Baum|first1=Greg|date=4 September 2021|access-date=4 September 2021}} Weightman was noted as a heavily determined player, reportedly obtaining a vertical jumping test before the AFL Draft Combine in order to perfect his jumping technique to gain an advantage of other potential draftees.{{cite web|title=Class of 2019: 'Footy head' leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of dream|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/148956/class-of-2019-cody-weightman|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum|date=11 November 2019|access-date=8 September 2021|work=AFL Media}} Most phantom drafts had Weightman being taken with either Melbourne's 12th pick in the draft,{{cite web|title=Every club, every pick: ESPN's full AFL phantom draft

|url=https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/28164931/every-club-every-pick-espn-full-afl-phantom-draft|date=27 November 2019|last1=Doerre|first1=Chris|work=espn.com.au|access-date=8 September 2021}} or the Western Bulldogs' 15th pick,{{cite web|title=Cal Twomey's 2019 Phantom Draft: Top 30, your club's whispers|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/149384/cal-twomeys-2019-phantom-draft-top-30-your-clubs-whispers|work=AFL Media|access-date=8 September 2021|date=25 November 2019|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum}} and eventually he was taken by the latter.{{cite web|title=Cody Weightman|url=https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-western-bulldogs--cody-weightman|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}{{cite web|title=2019 AFL Draft: Dogs take Cody Weightman with pick 15|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/308797/2019-afl-draft-dogs-take-cody-weightman-with-pick-15|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}{{cite web|title=Worth the wait for Cody|work=Pakenham Gazette|url=https://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/sport/2019-10-08/worth-the-wait-for-cody/|last1=Lewis|first1=Tyler|date=8 October 2019|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}

AFL career

When arriving at the Bulldogs, Weightman donned the number 19 guernsey, the number previously worn by former player Lukas Webb.{{cite web|title=New Bulldogs get their numbers|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/539366/new-bulldogs-get-their-numbers|date=7 December 2019|access-date=8 September 2021|work=Western Bulldogs Media}} Weightman debuted in the Bulldogs' 42 point win over the Essendon Bombers in the 7th round of the 2020 AFL season, against friend and former teammate Ned Cahill.{{cite news|title=AFL Round 7 Team Whispers: Giants forced into late swap, Saints young gun to debut|work=Fox Sports|last1=Waterworth|first1=Ben|last2=Balmer|first2=Matt|date=17 July 2020|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-teams-round-7-2020-team-whispers-cody-weightman-ned-cahill-fixtures-ins-and-outs-changes/news-story/344a5cf7dad90e5658777672947628b5|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}{{cite news|title=Two Stingrays to debut in same AFL Game - as opponents|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fleader%2Flocalfooty%2Fnab-league%2Fformer-stingrays-teammates-to-debut-as-afl-opponents%2Fnews-story%2Feb90c4bea5ddca7e55c6e3f987dc574f&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium|work=Herald Sun|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}} In his first game, he picked up 2 goals, 9 disposals and 3 marks.{{cite web|title=Round 7 • Essendon Bombers v Western Bulldogs|url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2797#player-stats|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}} Weightman's first disposal was a banana kick with which he kicked a goal.{{cite web|title=Cody Weightman makes dream Dogs debut|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/afl/cody-weightman-makes-dream-dogs-debut/ckcqr3tgh00790iqprtimakt5|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}{{cite news|title=Dogs haul Dons back to earth with second-half smashing|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/465996/dogs-haul-dons-back-to-earth-with-second-half-smashing|last1=Whiting|first1=Dominic|date=18 July 2020|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}}{{cite web|title=Cody's first game to remember|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/744820/cody-s-first-game-to-remember|access-date=19 July 2020|language=english}} After kicking just 1 goal in his next two games, Weightman was omitted from the side{{cite web|title=TEAM NEWS - Round 11|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/791156/team-news-round-11|date=7 August 2020|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=25 May 2021}} and did not return for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|title=Weightman eyes 2021 opportunity|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/845416/weightman-eyes-2021-opportunity|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=25 May 2021|date=18 December 2020}}

Weightman was kept to the VFL for the start of the 2021 AFL season. He had a standout game in the VFL against Carlton's reserves side, where he took a spectacular mark over Ryley Stoddart{{cite web|title=Huge grab, big injury as Dogs get home over Blues|last1=Rhodes|first1=Brendan|work=AFL Media|date=10 May 2021|access-date=16 May 2021|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/611806/huge-grab-big-injury-as-dogs-get-home-over-blues}} which grabbed the attention of seniors coach Luke Beveridge. After playing just 3 games in the 2020 season, Weightman returned to the team in Round 9, where he was instrumental in the team's close win over {{AFL PA}} at Adelaide Oval. He kicked two goals in the first quarter, and then kicked the winning goal with only a few minutes remaining by snapping it over his head into the goals.{{cite web|title=Western Bulldogs outmuscle Power to move to the top|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bulldogs-outmuscle-power-to-move-to-top-20210515-p57sal.html|last1=Barrett|first1=Steve|work=The Age|date=15 May 2021|access-date=16 May 2021}}{{cite web|title=Western Bulldogs beat Port Adelaide by 19 points, Richmond defeats GWS by four, after wins for Sydney, Nth Melbourne and Brisbane|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-15/bulldogs-tigers-make-headlines-with-wins-over-power-giants/100137306|work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=16 May 2021|date=15 May 2021}} He earned the praise of captain Marcus Bontempelli, who stated "His pressure and his tackling and finishing were exceptional. It's great to see him get some reward."{{cite web|title=Weightman grabs his chance|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/937539/weightman-grabs-his-chance|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=16 May 2021|date=16 May 2021}} His winning goal earned a Goal of the year nomination for round 9.{{cite web|title=GOAL OF THE YEAR: Watch|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/616180/goal-of-the-year-watch|access-date=25 May 2021|date=17 May 2021|work=AFL Media}} The next week, Weightman was nominated for the 2021 AFL Rising Star award after his 2-goal, 14 disposal, 11 score-involvement performance against {{AFL StK}}.{{cite web|title=Worth the Weight, man: Livewire Bulldog earns Rising Star nod|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/620525/worth-the-weight-man-livewire-bulldog-earns-rising-star-nod|date=24 May 2021|access-date=25 May 2021|work=AFL Media}}{{cite web|title=Weightman a Rising Star|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/944597/weightman-a-rising-star|date=24 May 2021|access-date=25 May 2021|work=Western Bulldogs Media}} Weightman had a career best game against {{AFL NM}}, where he kicked four goals, three of them coming in the first quarter.{{cite web|title=Dogs' cult hero focusing on 'flea-like' moves to keep spot in best 22|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/643488/dogs-cult-hero-cody-weightman-focusing-on-flea-like-moves-to-cement-spot|date=6 July 2021|work=AFL Media|access-date=27 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=AFL: All the action from the Round 16 Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne clash|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/afl-all-the-action-from-the-round-16-western-bulldogs-v-north-melbourne-clash/news-story/a074dd13bf3c826aa5bce630ea22a23a|work=Herald Sun|access-date=27 July 2021|date=4 July 2021|last1=Paynter|first1=Jack}} It was revealed Weightman had signed a two-year contract extension with the Western Bulldogs on 20 July 2021, tying him to the club until the end of the 2023 season.{{cite web|title=Cody banks two more years|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/983699/cody-banks-two-more-years|date=20 July 2021|access-date=20 July 2021|work=Western Bulldogs Media}} Weightman earned a Mark of the Year nomination in round 19, after he took a spectacular mark on top of {{AFL Mel}} ruckman Max Gawn.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/video/654635/mark-of-the-year-what-about-that-climb-?videoId=654635&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1627271518001|title=Mark of the Year: 'What about that climb'|access-date=27 July 2021|work=AFL Media|date=26 July 2021}} The mark drew lots of media attention and was branded as a contender to win the annual award.{{cite web|title=Western Bulldogs’ Cody Weightman takes mark of the year contender|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-cody-weightman-takes-mark-of-the-year-contender/news-story/55079e04733f12f81073aff5f2d9c58c|last1=Sullivan|first1=Matthew|access-date=27 July 2021|work=Herald Sun|date=25 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=‘You’re on another poster mate’: Cody Weightman’s insane mark of the year contender over Max Gawn|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/afl-news-2021-cody-weightman-mark-video-on-max-gawn-mark-of-the-year-contender-melbourne-vs-western-bulldogs/news-story/5dea8a8e3649440f8955fcdbcebf493e|last1=Waterworth|first1=Ben|work=Fox Sports|access-date=27 July 2021|date=24 July 2021}} Weightman was one of the team's most important players in their 49-point elimination final victory over {{AFL Ess}}, kicking four goals to help them break away from the Bombers.{{cite web|title=Elimination pain: Bombers' curse continues as Dogs march on to semis|url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3733#match-report|work=AFL Media|access-date=30 August 2021|last1=Schmook|first1=Nathan|date=29 August 2021}}{{cite web|title=Long wait continues for Essendon as Weightman leads Dogs to semi-final|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/long-wait-continues-for-essendon-as-weightman-leads-dogs-to-semi-final-20210829-p58mu8.html|last1=Cherny|first1=Daniel|work=The Age|date=29 August 2021|access-date=30 August 2021}}{{cite web|title=Dogs end Dons' season in heated finals encounter|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/08/29/dogs-end-dons-season-in-heated-finals-encounter/|last1=Geleit|first1=Lachlan|work=sen.com.au|access-date=30 August 2021|date=29 August 2021}} After his 4-goal performance in the final, Weightman was subjected to abuse on social media platforms,{{cite web|title=Bombers condemn racist abuse of star forward and attacks on Dogs rivals after final|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/essendon-bombers/afl-2021-essendon-condemns-racist-abuse-anthony-mcdonaldtipungwuti-attacks-on-bulldogs-players-cody-weightman/news-story/d6095d303e7129d1a12ee4ca71a917f7|last1=Laughton|first1=Max|access-date=30 August 2021|date=30 August 2021|work=Fox Sports}} prompting teammate Josh Bruce to defend him on Twitter.{{cite web|title=Injured Western Bulldogs star Josh Bruce trolls online haters of teammate Cody Weightman|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/injured-western-bulldogs-star-josh-bruce-trolls-online-haters-of-teammate-cody-weightman/news-story/d39194085f1b9f2f6c6c892692039bf8|work=news.com.au|access-date=30 August 2021|date=30 August 2021}} Weightman managed to kick 1 goal in the team's thrilling semi-final victory over {{AFL BL}}.{{cite web|title=Bontempelli still a chance to play in prelim despite knee injury|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/674735/dogs-lose-cody-weightman-for-preliminary-final-marcus-bontempelli-no-certainty|date=6 September 2021|access-date=8 August 2021|work=AFL Media}} Unfortunately, he was substituted out of the game for a head knock, after which he developed concussion symptoms, ruling him out of the Preliminary final the following week.{{cite web|title=Scans clear Marcus Bontempelli of serious damage, but Western Bulldogs teammate Cody Weightman to miss|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/scans-clear-marcus-bontempelli-of-serious-damage-but-western-bulldogs-teammate-cody-weightman-to-miss-c-3886974|last1=Healey|first1=Catherine|work=The West Australian|access-date=8 August 2021|date=6 September 2021}}{{cite web|title=Bont a chance to play, Weightman ruled out|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1013857/bont-a-chance-to-play-weightman-ruled-out|date=6 September 2021|access-date=8 September 2021|work=AFL Media}} Weightman played in the grand final, but had a quiet game as the Bulldogs ended up losing to {{AFL Mel}}, picking up just seven disposals.{{cite web|title=Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs 2021 GF - Player Stats|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2021/071120210925.html|access-date=4 May 2022|work=afltables.com}} After the conclusion of the season, it was revealed that Weightman had played through an ankle injury which he incurred during the pre-season throughout the year.{{cite web|title=Magpies ‘right fit’ for Lipinski, Weightman to undergo ankle surgery|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/magpies-right-fit-for-lipinski-weightman-to-undergo-ankle-surgery-20211011-p58z1x.html|date=11 October 2021|last1=Ward|first1=Roy|work=The Age|access-date=4 May 2022}}{{cite web|title=‘Emptiness’ driving Grand Final revenge|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/afl-2022-western-bulldogs-reaction-to-grand-final-loss-cody-weightman-reveals-emptiness-preseason-news/news-story/210dc4e187d0282ae3f922cff9529d96|last1=Gould|first1=Russell|work=Fox Sports|access-date=4 May 2022|date=1 December 2021}}

Personal life

In his spare time, Weightman enjoys wakeboarding and surfing, and has also learned to paint. He grew up supporting {{AFL Col}}.

Cody Weightman drew much controversy in an event where a wardrobe malfunction lead to him revealing himself to players and fans. When asked what happened, Cody Weightman said "What I did, I did for the country."{{cite web |title=AFL star proposes collaboration with Calvin Klein after suffering wardrobe malfunction on field |url=https://www.sportbible.com/afl/cody-weightman-calvin-klein-collaboration-after-wardrobe-malfunction-775940-20230417 |website=Sport Bible}}

Statistics

:Statistics are correct to the end of 2023{{cite web|title=Cody Weightman|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/C/Cody_Weightman.html|work=AFL Tables|access-date=9 November 2020}}

|- style="background:#EAEAEA"

| scope="row" text-align:center | 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}}

| {{AFL WB}}

| 19 || 3 || 3 || 1 || 11 || 7 || 18 || 4 || 4 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 3.7 || 2.3 || 6.0 || 1.3 || 1.3

| scope="row" text-align:center | 2021

| {{AFL WB}}

| 19 || 16 || 26 || 13 || 120 || 40 || 160 || 48 || 30 || 1.6 || 0.8 || 7.5 || 2.5 || 10.0 || 3.0 || 1.9

| scope="row" text-align:center | 2022

| {{AFL WB}}

| 19 || 21 || 36 || 10 || 131 || 57 || 188 || 55 || 40 || 1.7 || 0.5 || 6.2 || 2.7 || 9.0 || 2.6 || 1.9

| scope="row" text-align:center | 2023

| {{AFL WB}}

| 3 || 19 || 34 || 18 || 139 || 59 || 198 || 54 || 52 || 1.8 || 0.9 || 7.3 || 3.1 || 10.4 || 2.8 || 2.7

|- style="background:#EAEAEA; font-weight:bold; width:2em"