Western Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman will undergo surgery on his left elbow, reports SEN’s Sam Edmund.
Weightman dislocated his elbow late in the first term of Saturday’s 24-point loss to Fremantle.
It was his second dislocation inside a month and a third in two years and Edmund says that he’ll now miss at least six weeks as a result.
“Cody Weightman, this news just has come in now,” Edmund said on SEN Whateley.
“I can tell you he is going to have to undergo surgery on this left elbow. That's become a real problem for him, hasn't it?
“He's going to miss at least six weeks is my understanding.
“It’s a real blow for the Doggies here. This was the second dislocation inside a month and a third dislocation inside two years.
“Really the player and the club's hand has been forced here. He can't be flying for marks like he is and living in fear that the joint's just going to pop out as was happening.
“He had scans this morning. The issue is he just runs the risk of it popping out now and perhaps being more susceptible to it as it goes on. That's the medical explanation.
“In simple terms, he's going to have an operation obviously to ensure that he has a greater chance of that socket keeping his elbow where it belongs. They can't keep risking that.”
Edmund thinks that the Bulldogs might have to look outside of the box to find a small forward replacement for their Round 8 game against Hawthorn with Rhylee West also out with suspension, even though Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is expected to return.
“Six weeks on the sidelines does hurt the Western Bulldogs, not just because he was having a great season, but of course for this week with Rhylee West, they're not challenging that suspension either,” Edmund said.
“He got one week for his high bump on Brandon Walker on Sunday against Fremantle.
“The Dogs have Hawthorn on Sunday, and they might have to look outside the box for a small forward replacement.”
One small forward option that's yet to debut is Charlie Clarke, who was taken with pick No.24 in the 2022 Draft. The 20-year-old has kicked a goal in every VFL game so far this season.
Weightman himself has kicked 14 goals so far from seven games in 2024.
A six-week layoff could see him return around in Round 13 against Brisbane or Round 14 against Fremantle ahead of the side’s Round 15 bye.
Cody Weightman will undergo surgery on his left elbow and is set to miss at least six weeks in a blow for the Western Bulldogs. But a second dislocation inside a month and a third in two years has forced the club's hand. More to come from 2pm on @DwaynesWorldSEN
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) April 29, 2024
