First-round draftee Cody Weightman will be unleashed this week by the Western Bulldogs.

The 19-year-old will make his AFL debut against Essendon on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

Mitch Wallis presented the debutant with his playing jumper at training today.

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Weightman will be the Bulldogs’ fourth debutant in 2020, following in the footsteps of Ben Cavarra, Laitham Vandermeer and Louis Butler.

The small forward joined the Bulldogs with pick 15 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, and has impressed through the pre-season and practice games.

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Weightman said he was looking forward to pulling on the red, white and blue for the first time.

“Obviously you’re always hoping for it to come when you haven’t played a game yet… I’m super happy obviously and I can’t wait to get out there,” he said. 

“(Mitch) is someone I’ve become really close with at the club.

“He’s someone who’s been huge for my development, I started living with him when I first came to the club… he’s a legend.

“Friday night footy, you watch it as a kid all the time and dream of being out there. Fortunately for me now it’s a reality this week, so I’m absolutely pumped and can’t wait to get it.”

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