Cody Weightman is just 20 years old, and yesterday he was playing his 17thgame at the elite level, and his first AFL Final.
Against the Bombers in Launceston, he was the match-winner. The man for the big occasion.
Weightman’s four goals – two of which came in the crucial third quarter – were instrumental in the Bulldogs’ first Finals win since 2016.
It was an equal career-high haul for the energetic rising star of the competition, who announced himself on the big stage. He now has 25 goals for the season from his 14 games.
But while the scoreboard told one story, it was Weightman’s defensive actions that were just as eye-catching.
He set the tone with a brilliant smother in the opening five minutes, and constantly closed space on the Essendon defenders.
He finished the game with 25 pressure acts - the equal fourth highest tally on the field.
“He was brilliant, Cody. In the air and on the ground. And he obviously kicked straight,” his coach Luke Beveridge said after the game.
“He’s come on in leaps and bounds this year, Flea. I’m rapt for him. To see what he did today, in such a big game.
“He’s such a great young fella, and a very talented young player. He’s so important for the way we do things.”
Weightman’s performance was complemented nicely by his fellow forwards against the Bombers, with Aaron Naughton kicking three goals, and Mitch Hannan and the reborn again Josh Schache adding two each.
