Western Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman’s serial AFL issue raises its head once more

Cody Weightman is in the spotlight once more after he was seen committing one of the game’s most frowned upon acts.

(L-R) Anthony Scott, Arthur Jones and Cody Weightman of the Bulldogs celebrate during the clash against the Gold Coast in Darwin. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Western Bulldogs small forward Cody Weightman is in the spotlight once again for one of the most frowned upon acts in the AFL.

Since making his debut in 2021, Weightman has been accused a number of times for diving or staging to win free kicks.

The 22-year-old was at it again during Saturday night’s narrow seven-point loss to the Suns on the Gold Coast.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Herald-Sun journalist Jon Ralph tweeted a video of one incident, writing Weightman “has to get this out of his game”.

“Just milks too many free kicks. Totally invented contact.”

The tweet was generating plenty of comments, including from footy fan and former NBL coach Brendan Joyce, who replied “Agree ... Ralphy. 4th umpire just trying to be relevant!”

Joyce wasn’t the only one laying the blame on the umpires rather than Weightman.

Cody Weightman is such a talent. So capable of great things. He has to get this out of his game. Just milks too many free kicks. Four tonight. Totally invented this contact. Nearly turned the game. So glad it didn’t cost the Suns the game. pic.twitter.com/PJF6y8FSSE

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) May 27, 2023

“He’s known for staging so why are the umpires falling for it and paying the free kicks?” wrote one Twitter user in reply.

“Totally agree,” wrote another. “Has he been watching Lebron’s flopping in the NBA perhaps.”

Weightman, pick No.15 in the 2019 AFL draft, has kicked 74 goals in his 47 games to date and proven a regular threat in the Bulldogs’ forward line.

But his staging for free kicks has been a recurring issue for the young Bulldog.

Weightman was labelled “the boy who cries wolf” by Ralph and warned “he’s making life difficult for himself” by former Melbourne forward Garry Lyon in June last year for staging incidents in a game against Geelong.

Bulldog Cody Weightman is in the spotlight again. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Another great key forward, three-time premiership winner Jonathan Brown, also weighed in on the issue at that time.

“The football gods will get you, more specifically the umpires will get you,” Brown said.

“Umpires are warned pre-game by what players have a tendency and Weightman has a tendency for accentuated contact. Umpires are aware of that.

“So what happens when he may have gotten a free kick there, the umpire has put the whistle away.”

Weightman has been quizzed about his diving in the past, stating his belief it was a skill, rather than a blight on the game.

Cody Weightman 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6ZLmSlsAAg

— Tim Rosen (@timrosen35) May 27, 2023

Cody Weightman is now a Shooting Stars meme. I will not apologise for these pic.twitter.com/e5VX86ddLS

— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) June 5, 2022

“I think I do have an ability to draw free kicks and I think that’s a skillset rather than a ‘flop’ or whatever you call that,” Weightman said on SEN Breakfast in April last year.

“There are skills you can do, whether it’s taking the ball when you’re about to get tackled or ball control, so you don’t actually have possession and test out the defender if they’re going to grab it or not.

“There is a skill to it and people won’t see that, but I think there’s a deeper understanding that goes into it.

“I know there’s a lot of support out there for me as well which is super amazing, I’m very grateful for everyone who does see the work we put in and see us in a shining light rather than a dim light.”