AFL 2021: Western Bulldogs suffer ‘big’ injury blow, sweating on Marcus Bontempelli’s fitness

Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman will miss this weekend’s prelim, but the playing group still says he has a role to play off the field.

Cody Weightman (right) has had a breakout year in 2021. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Western Bulldogs are having to come to terms with the “big loss” of one of their stars for this weekend’s preliminary final, all the while sweating on the fitness of their captain.

Small forward Cody Weightman sustained a concussion in the semi-final win over Brisbane and will miss this Saturday’s grand final qualifier against Port Adelaide in accordance with the AFL’s concussion protocols.

He could be joined on the sidelines by skipper Marcus Bontempelli, who twisted his knee in Saturday night’s last-gasp victory.

2021 AFLPA MVP Bontempelli went in for scans and has been cleared of serious damage, but speculation that the club would make a call on his fitness on Monday came to nothing.

Even if Bontempelli loses his race against the clock, Bulldogs star Taylor Duryea said the side was confident it could get the job done at Adelaide Oval.

“We feel like we’ve got enough depth to cover anyone,” Duryea said.

“You never want to lose or be without your star players and your captain, that’s for sure.

“(But) I don’t think if we were without ‘Bont’ this weekend that we would feel that we aren’t up to the challenge or that our midfield can’t get the job done.

“That’s certainly not the case. We’ve definitely got a lot of faith in the guys that we’ve got.

“We’re confident with our midfield group, knowing they’ve got a big challenge ahead of them going up against Port.”

The Bulldogs are giving Bontempelli as much time as possible to recover. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Duryea said Bontempelli was “still sore” on Monday, but the club would wait until later in the week to make a call on his fitness.

“He was limping around, he’s trying to get some sympathy from everyone,” Dureya said with a smile.

“Naturally, he’s sore, it’s only two days post-game.

“He’s been cleared of any serious stuff with his knee, but he’s quite sore still, so we’ll just see how he goes.”

Weightman, who kicked five goals across the Bulldogs’ first two finals, still has a role to play around camp in the lead-up to Saturday’s game.

“(Cody) is a big loss for us. He’s one of the guys that adds so much energy and excitement to the group,” Duryea said.

“He’s still going to add energy to the group off-field.”

It remains to be seen who will slot into the forward line in Weightman’s absence, but Dureya said Mr Fix-It Jason Johannisen was an option. Johannisen, who Duryea lauded as “a selfless teammate”, replaced the 20-year-old at halftime of Saturday’s game.

“ (Johannisen) played half-back, wing, forward this year for us, which is really difficult for someone to have to chop and change,” he said.

“It just shows what sort of player he is, he’s an ultimate professional.

“In terms of selection this week, I’m glad I’m not in (Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge) Bevo’s position having to make those tough calls.”

Taylor Duryea (left) contained Lions forward Charlie Cameron with aplomb on Saturday night. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

By the time they touch down in Adelaide this week, the Bulldogs will have spent time in four separate states since leaving Victoria two weeks ago.

By contrast, their opponents have had the luxury of remaining in their home city and enjoying a week off between finals.

Far from sapping them of energy, Duryea said the time on the road had galvanised the Bulldogs playing group.

“We’ve had a chance as a group to be together on the road, to build relationships and experience these things together,” Duryea said.

“As much as we’ve maybe been challenged a little bit with our travel schedule and living arrangements, I think you could probably look at it with a glass-half full mentality.

“We’ve had these experiences together. They’re only going to make us a little bit stronger and hopefully build some resilience within the group.

“Not that we need any extra motivation, but to get through all those challenges has made us a little bit hungrier for what’s ahead.”

Originally published as AFL 2021: Western Bulldogs suffer ‘big’ injury blow, sweating on Marcus Bontempelli’s fitness