Injured Western Bulldogs star Josh Bruce trolls online haters of teammate Cody Weightman

The online hate for Western Bulldogs finals hero Cody Weightman has been slapped down by an injured teammate.

Cody Weightman kicked four goals for the Bulldogs against Essendon. Picture: Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Injured Western Bulldogs star Josh Bruce has lived up to his reputation as the “ultimate teammate” by turning online protector for finals hero Cody Weightman.

Weightman kicked four matchwinning goals in the Bulldogs’ elimination final win over Essendon on Sunday.

But the 19-year-old was attacked online after all four came from free kicks in a game that ended the Bombers’ season, with a 22-14 free kick count in favour of the winning team.

Weightman, who was playing in his first final and just his 18th AFL game, copped plenty on social media despite earning votes from several pundits for his efforts.

Why the pile on Cody Weightman? His attack on the ball early when WBs were under pressure and his smother at HB showed enormous leadership and an insatiable desire to influence the contest. Goals were a bonus.

— Tony Shaw (@TonyShaw22) August 30, 2021

Bruce, whose season was ended by a knee injury in the final minutes against Essendon in round 21, used his time on the sidelines well, sticking up for Weightman.

Replying to some of the ugly comments posted on Weightman’s Instagram account, Bruce trolled the attackers, earning plenty of plaudits himself.

Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton, who kicked three goals in Bruce’s absence, said he “loved” playing with Weightman, acknowledging his capacity to get free kicks.

“We know what the Flea (Weightman) is up to, drawing a couple of free kicks. But the energy and pressure he puts on the ball is evident and that’s why he got a lot of free kicks,” Naughton told the club website,

“He’s such a great finisher on goal, I love playing with him.”

Josh Bruce quickly moving up the list of favourite AFL players. https://t.co/8yAXhbf3nu

— David Moore (@morteinmooie) August 30, 2021

Naughton said he was quickly on the phone to Bruce after the win in Launceston that sent the Bulldogs into a semi-final showdown with the Brisbane Lions this Saturday.

“It’s obviously heartbreaking for my mate Brucey – I was on FaceTime to him just before,” he said.

“He’s just the ultimate teammate. Without him down there you have to take a bit more responsibility and leadership as the main sort of target down there, which has been good.”

The Bulldogs, who are still in Tasmania., are set to play on Saturday afternoon in Brisbane, with the winner to progress to a preliminary final showdown with Port Adelaide.

Probably dislike Josh Bruce more than i should as he always towels Norf up, but good on him for going to bat for a team mate 👍 https://t.co/UgLdWozHSV

— Ben. (@tikka_ben) August 30, 2021