Weightman gets Johannisen’s backing for Round 1 debut

[GVGjr]

Weightman

Jason Johannisen has been impressed with what he’s seen from the Western Bulldogs’ top draft selection Cody Weightman and is tipping the “little pocket rocket” to break into the senior team as early as Round 1.

Western Bulldogs small forward Cody Weightman will push for a Round 1 debut alongside recruits Josh Bruce and Alex Keath despite massive selection pressure at the Kennel.

Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen backed Weightman’s claims, saying November’s No.15 draft pick was already pushing his name forward for an early debut.

The electric small forward was recruited to fit a specific need but will need to prove himself in the Marsh Community Series given excellent availability at the Whitten Oval.

Tom Liberatore (knee), Taylor Duryea (groin surgery) and draftee Riley Garcia (knee reconstruction) are the only players not able to take part in last Sunday’s match simulation in Queensland.

Keath and Bruce both played strongly as star tall Aaron Naughton returned from a serious knee concern to show he had made a full recovery.

Johannisen said he was thrilled how quickly 2019 All Australian and Dandenong Stringrays goalkicker Weightman adjusted to the pace of the game even after a strong summer on the track.

“He is a little pocket rocket. He has always got plenty of energy. He has surprised me with his ability and quickness and ability to jump. He can jump so high. He has the chance to take a mark of the year in his career. The club looks after the first-year boys but he’s doing the bulk of the work and he performed well in match simulation,” he said.

“He goes after the game like crazy so he’s been awesome. The way Bevo (Luke Beveridge) is with your selection, if you are good enough you can get a chance.”

The Dogs take on North Melbourne in a February 21 Marsh Community Series clash then Port Adelaide on March 7 in South Australia.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Sounds like Bevo will back Weightman to prove himself early. Awesome.

[bulldogtragic]

Going to be a tough Round 1 Match Committee. Great!

[Go_Dogs]

Great news. Tough forward line to get a spot in and going to be so many unlucky players.

We should kick Gold Coast out the comp and have Footscray play as the 18th side.

[strebla]

Great news. Tough forward line to get a spot in and going to be so many unlucky players.

We should kick Gold Coast out the comp and have Footscray play as the 18th side.

Oh please no watching Australia A play Australia was so hard for me I could not imagine Footscray v the Western Bulldogs. It's would be like choosing a favourite child you just can't !!!!

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Oh please no watching Australia A play Australia was so hard for me I could not imagine Footscray v the Western Bulldogs. It's would be like choosing a favourite child you just can't !!!!

Go for the underdog!

[Twodogs]

Oh please no watching Australia A play Australia was so hard for me I could not imagine Footscray v the Western Bulldogs. It's would be like choosing a favourite child you just can't !!!!

Footscray everytime. I'm a Footscray boy.

[strebla]

Footscray everytime. I'm a Footscray boy.

I'm a braybrook boy and yes Footscray was my induction but bulldog v bulldog no thanks

[Twodogs]

I'm a braybrook boy and yes Footscray was my induction but bulldog v bulldog no thanks

I'm playing indoor at Lily street at the moment-we tend to decide what sport when we gather it might be European handball or soccer. Last week we played indoor soccer and I was in goal while my son was playing for the other team. Geez it's fun watching your very own boy bearing down on you with the ball at his feet while you try and make yourself really big and protect the goals. He got one past me in the second half but he'd unwittingly run into my area (Fer *!*!*!*!s sake now you blokes are just making up rules as you go along) so it didn't count!

[Scraggers]

Oh please no watching Australia A play Australia was so hard for me I could not imagine Footscray v the Western Bulldogs. It's would be like choosing a favourite child you just can't !!!!

You obviously haven't met my kids

[Twodogs]

You obviously haven't met my kids

Aren't you a schoolteacher?

That makes you biased against kids!

The teachers were biased against my kids anyway.

[Scraggers]

Aren't you a schoolteacher?

That makes you biased against kids!

The teachers were biased against my kids anyway.

It's a pre-requisite in my job

[Rocket Science]

Sounds like Weightman's borderline flying ...

If he makes if off the bat, great, but which of the incumbent small forwards gets displaced?

And if that eventuates it's curious that Cavarra's been unable to stake a similar claim.

[Mofra]

Sounds like Weightman's borderline flying ...

If he makes if off the bat, great, but which of the incumbent small forwards gets displaced?

And if that eventuates it's curious that Cavarra's been unable to stake a similar claim.

Might make things hard for Cavarra this year, but I'm not writing him off. He was a mid in the past which means he might be able to play HF which is a very difficult role at AFL level. Lloyd won't be around forever, and I expect this is Dickson's last year.

I hope Weightman can crumb because pre-draft everyone compared him more to Jamie Elliot than a traditional crumbing forward.

[Eastdog]

WB aka Scraggers all the way!