Cody Weightman has suffered an injury to his left elbow for the third time in less than two years, with Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge warning of a fresh “long-term approach” to fixing the speedster’s issues.
Just weeks removed from dislocating the joint a second time, Weightman fell hard on his arm late in the first quarter of a 24-point loss to Fremantle on Saturday night.
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The 23-year-old, wearing a protective sleeve, was clearly distressed but had the presence of mind to wave for medical assistance.
“That is a really sorry sight to see,” Channel 7 commentator and Bulldogs great Luke Darcy said.
Weightman was quick to leave the field while supporting his left arm with his right and could be seen swearing under his breath in frustration at yet another elbow concern.
Weightman jogged off the field frustrated to have suffered another elbow concern. Credit: RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AAPIMAGE
Adding insult to injury, he was hurt on a play where he gave away a free kick for unrealistic attempt — and the Dockers went on to kick a crucial goal just seconds later.
Weightman was substituted out by the Bulldogs at quarter-time but was spotted in good spirits on the bench late in the second term.
He first dislocated his left elbow when breaking his fall during a match in June 2022, remarkably returning to play through the pain.
More trouble arrived in Round 4 this year when the same injury occurred in a tackle.
Again he played out the game and he was subsequently cleared of major damage, remaining in the team the following week.
But there remains some level of concern for Weightman’s elbow this time round.
He avoided another dislocation, with Saturday night’s fall only hyperextending the elbow, but he will be assessed during the week.
“I don’t know whether we’ll need to have something done with that (elbow),” Beveridge said.
“Ultimately we hope he’s ok but he’ll need to have it looked at again. We need to take a long-term approach with him, not that our staff haven’t.
“He’s such a tough bugger. He stays on the ground after these injuries so it was even a surprise that he couldn’t get it going (to continue playing) because in the past he’s somehow found a way.
“We’ll work through it with our medical crew and let you know a bit more in a couple of days.”
Caleb Daniel took Weightman’s place in the 22 after starting the day out of the matchday squad, only to earn a reprieve when Tom Liberatore was unable to overcome an illness.
Liberatore’s setback extended his frustrating stint on the sidelines since a dramatic collapse late in a Bulldogs loss to Essendon two weeks ago.
He was cleared of concussion but still placed in the protocols by the club, forcing him to miss last week’s win over St Kilda.
Meanwhile, Fremantle also suffered an injury blow on Saturday night.
Josh Draper suffered a tight hamstring and was substituted out, leaving the Dockers undermanned and undersized in defence.
But the forced change did come with a silver lining as Cooper Simpson took off the vest in his AFL debut, joining fellow first-gamer Patrick Voss on the field.
Voss, a 20-year-old former GWS academy product who spent two years on Essendon’s list without playing a senior game, kicked his first goal in the second quarter.
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Fremantle avoided going down to 21 fit players when Brandon Walker passed a concussion test in the third term.
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