In a heartwarming moment that has captured the attention of the Australian Football League community, footage has emerged of Western Bulldogs star Cody Weightman making his long-awaited return to training. The popular forward, who has been sidelined since September 2024 due to debilitating knee issues, has taken a monumental step forward in his rehabilitation journey.
A Gruelling Path to Recovery
Cody Weightman's absence from the AFL has been protracted and challenging, marked by a series of medical setbacks that would test any athlete's resolve. The Bulldogs forward has endured five separate surgeries alongside battling persistent infections, creating what has been described as one of the more unusual injury sagas in recent sporting memory.
The troubles began nearly a year ago when Weightman underwent initial knee surgery after being diagnosed with a bipartite patella. Speaking to SEN at the time, the player reflected on his misfortune, stating: 'This could be the weirdest (injury) - I've been a bit unlucky unfortunately and collected a fair few surgeries now in my short career so far.'
Complex Surgical Intervention
Weightman detailed the extraordinary measures required to address his condition, revealing: 'It's a bit of a genetic one connected to a knock I got around Christmas time and unfortunately had to go under the knife. I had to get a bit of my hip actually put into my knee in the end. It was a bit of a bone graft - there was a bit of missing bone in the knee where the gap was. (I also got) two pins through the parts of the knee to connect them back up.'
A Triumphant Training Moment
The breakthrough moment came at the Bulldogs' Sunshine Coast training camp, where Weightman progressed to putting one foot in front of the other for the first time in twelve months. In a show of solidarity that underscores his standing within the club, Bulldogs teammates lined up either side of the popular player before cheering enthusiastically as he set off on his run.
This significant milestone represents the culmination of dedicated rehabilitation work across the summer break, during which Weightman has made substantial progress toward his playing return. The video of his return to running, posted to the Western Bulldogs' official social media account, has resonated powerfully with the club's supporter base, accumulating almost 12,000 likes and numerous emotional responses.
Fan Reaction and Support
The footage has generated an outpouring of support from Bulldogs faithful, with one social media user commenting: 'I am so so happy to see Cody back. I miss him so so much.' Another added simply: 'Hell yeah Cody,' while a third observed: 'Bloody champion - what a long road for Cody.'
Looking Toward a Playing Return
Weightman, who has played 74 AFL games and kicked 125 goals during his career, is now reportedly on track to take part in an AFL match for the first time in over a year next month. His return to the training paddock represents not just a personal victory over adversity but a significant boost for the Western Bulldogs as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The encouraging signs from his Sunshine Coast training camp appearance suggest that one of the league's most promising forwards may soon be back doing what he does best - thrilling crowds and contributing to his team's success on the field.
