Western Bulldogs livewire Cody Weightman told teammate Rory Lobb during the week he would fly the flag and “help him out” if the key forward copped extra attention against his old team Fremantle.
Weightman did just that, although by the young gun‘s own admission, he wasn’t necessarily in the thick of the early scuffle.
Lobb returned to Optus Stadium for the first time since being traded from the Dockers at the end of last season and received a fiery reception from his old fans and teammates from the opening bounce.
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The 30-year old was immediately targeted as Fremantle defenders went at Lobb in a spicy tussle involving multiple Bulldogs players including Weightman.
“I told him during the week I’d help him. But Bevo (Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge) wanted me starting out of the square,“ Weightman told Fox Footy post-game.
“I was in two minds. I was like, I don’t want to give away a free for getting out of the square but it’s probably worth it.
“So, I jumped in there.“
Watching a replay of the scuffle where Weightman arrives late, the young Bulldog said: “I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming. I don’t do much but I’m coming.”
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon responded: “Like a little chihuahua at the feet of the big rottweilers. Just nipping away at the end there, I‘m not sure you did much”.
To which Weightman replied: “Yeah, I didn’t do a lot, but I’m there.“
Lobb booted 1.3 as he and the Bulldogs had the last laugh in a 49-point win to get the club‘s season back on track at 3-3, bouncing back from its Gather Round loss to Port Adelaide.
Weightman was impressive in his return from injury last week, kicking 4.2 from 11 kicks against the Power, and he was once again a threat around goal against the Dockers with 1.3.
He believes the pressure from the small forwards was crucial to pulling off the big win over Fremantle.
“We spoke about that nearly at every break (pressure and bringing the ball to ground)” Weightman said.
“It was an indicator that we needed to keep up to win this one, I think it’s a little bit contagious when Arthur Jones and the likes come in and can provide that.
“I try to do my little bit along with the other smalls. Lachie McNeil, I thought he was great when he came on as a sub and brought that.“
That pressure was indeed a key theme for the menacing Dogs, who laid 21 tackles inside forward 50.
“We talk about territory and when our smalls can get our tackles and stoppages inside the 50 and really set up and get back to our identity that we probably went away from a little bit but we feel like we’re starting to get back,” Weightman said.
After an extended road trip following Gather Round and the trip to Perth, the Bulldogs will finally head back to Melbourne and prepare for next Saturday‘s clash with Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.
