Livewire forward Cody Weightman is officially a Rising Star.
The 20-year-old has been awarded this week’s NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after starring in the Western Bulldogs’ 111-point win against St Kilda on Saturday.
In just his fifth game at AFL level, Weightman had a night to remember at Marvel Stadium.
He kicked two goals from his 14 disposals, alongside 11 score involvements, six marks and five inside-50s.
It was his first AFL game in Victoria, after making his debut in the hub last season, and coming into the side for the first time in 2021 last week for the Bulldogs’ win against Port Adelaide on the road.
“The work that Cody’s done on his game over the last six months has really paid dividends the last six or seven weeks,” Bulldogs’ development manager, Jamie Maddocks, said.
“He’s been super consistent and it’s great to see him getting his opportunity and taking it with both hands.
“Cody’s a multi-faceted player. He kicks the ball so well on both feet, he’s got a really good aerial game, he’s strong at ground level and he’s got a knack for knowing where the goals are and slotting them.
“He’s building his game on what he can do without the ball, which will naturally bring his gifts into play. We’ve seen that at VFL level and now in the AFL system.
“We think there’s so much growth still to come for Cody, but this is a credit for all the work he’s done.”
Weightman was recruited by the Bulldogs with pick 15 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, spending time with Beaconsfield, Haileybury College, Dandenong Stingrays and Victoria Country across his junior pathway.
He made his AFL debut in round seven last year, playing three games in his first season.
