AFL: Western Bulldogs young gun Cody Weightman is out of a moon boot earlier than expected and begun pre-season training

Exciting Western Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman has shed the moon boot on his surgically repaired ankle and resumed light training activities. Weightman, Josh Bruce and Toby McLean – both of whom are recovering from anterior cruciate ligament ruptures – are the notable names in the Bulldogs’ rehabilitation group. The 20-year-old emerged as a goalkicking threat in his second AFL season, including kicking a match-winning four goals in an elimination final victory over Essendon. Weightman revealed after playing in the Dogs’ grand final defeat to Melbourne that he had played through the ankle issue and subsequently went under the knife in mid-October. The expectation was he would be sidelined for the opening weeks of pre-season with the first-to-fourth-year players, with a recovery period between 10 and 12 weeks. Bruce could miss much of next year after suffering his ACL setback in August, opening the door for No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to make a greater impact in season two. Ugle-Hagan kicked seven goals in five games in his rookie campaign but didn’t appear after Round 21, with coach Luke Beveridge preferring other forward options in the finals. Captain Marcus Bontempelli said on Monday he was looking forward to seeing what Ugle-Hagan could do next season. “I spent the last six weeks with him, travelling and training, and he seems like he’s in a really good space physically and, obviously, freshened up mentally, as we all needed at the end of a pretty long season,” Bontempelli said. “I am really excited for him and really excited for us, obviously, about his potential. I just want him to continue to explore how good he can be and enjoy his career.” Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have extended their partnership with the Victorian government and City of Ballarat for three more years until the end of 2024. The deal locks them in for two games each season at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium and they will host an AFLW match there for the first time as part of a separate arrangement. The club will also continue to try to make a difference away from the field in the regional city with school and youth programs. Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said Ballarat and the surrounding region was their “second home”.

AFL: Western Bulldogs young gun Cody Weightman is out of a moon boot earlier than expected and begun pre-season training

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