Cody Weightman has developed a cult following among Western Bulldogs fans, but still doesn't feel as though he's cemented his spot in the ladder-leaders' best line-up.
The spring-heeled small forward has been given a licence to fly for big marks by coach Luke Beveridge and has utilised the freedom, putting together an impressive highlights catalogue.
Since breaking into the team with a three-goal haul against Port Adelaide in round nine, Weightman has played seven consecutive games, culminating in a career-best four goals against North Melbourne last Sunday.
But it is the less-spectacular elements of the second-year player's game that are most valued internally at the Bulldogs, where he is known as 'Flea' because of namesake and former Richmond champion Dale 'Flea' Weightman, as well as his 177cm frame.
"That's what keeps you in the team and that's what the team has success off the back of, so that's definitely where my focus is - the smothers, the tackles and the 'flea-like' nature," Weightman said.
"I like to have the mindset that I'm not (cemented in the team) because I think that's when I play my best football, when I'm not complacent and I'm doing the desperate stuff.
"I like to hope that I've done a few good things now that have given me a little bit of credit that might keep me in the team, but at the same time I'm approaching it as if I'm playing for my life each week."
Weightman showed his aerial ability with a pair of contested marks in the win over North Melbourne and generated plenty of hype with a huge ride on Carlton's Ryley Stoddart in a VFL game in May.
"Coming out of the draft that was a strength of mine and since then I've been able to create a bit more of a complete game, which has probably held me in good stead," Weightman said.
"But certainly you play to your strengths at this club, which is what Bevo and the rest of the coaching group preach.
"I've certainly got the licence to jump if I feel like it's my time to go, but obviously given my stature, there's times when I've got to stay down and play that type of role as well."
Weightman said he is unsure how the Bulldogs will line up in attack in a crunch clash with Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, with key forward Aaron Naughton ruled out under concussion protocols.
Naughton was substituted out of the North Melbourne game after landing heavily from a marking contest and did light work on an exercise bike on Tuesday.
"He's in good spirits and feeling a lot better now," Weightman said.
