Only 24 games into his lively career and Western Bulldogs youngster Cody Weightman has already been connected with a string of contentious umpiring decisions.
Having been in the spotlight on several occasions during crucial moments and won contentious free kicks, the small forward has at times irritated and confused opposition fans.
Notedly, Weightman kicked four majors – all from free kicks – in last year’s elimination final win over Essendon, but has had similar performances against other teams to gain a somewhat unfavourable reputation within the game.
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Asked on SEN Breakfast by Melbourne great Garry Lyon what it’s like to have his reputation for staging, the 21-year-old said that overall, it doesn’t affect how he plays.
“Certainly, that’s been a factor in the past 12 months and to be honest, it doesn’t faze me at all,” he said.
“It’s something that Lisa (Stevens) at the club, she sort of comes and talks to me about it, she’s our psychologist.
“I didn’t actually have any problem with it and it was good just to hear her opinions on it – the way society is, if you’re going well (then) they’re going to try and nit-pick and try to pull you down because at the end of the day if I’m performing and doing well for the Western Bulldogs it’s only threatening other teams’ chances of beating us.
“Unfortunately I think that is the tall poppy syndrome in Australia and that’s just how that is, but I’m very comfortable doing what I’m doing and I don’t think it’s going to affect my game.”
Weightman also explained the value and craft in the “skillset” he uses to receive free kicks.
“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 because 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,” he said.
“There is a skill to it and people won’t see that, but I think there’s a deeper understanding that goes into it and 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.”
In his third season at the top level, Weightman said he now feels more comfortable in his attacking role, indicating it’s more than just hitting the scoreboard.
“I’m definitely feeling comfortable in my role now, and I know what I have to go and do,” he said.
“I suppose you get the five goals off the back of that, but it’s certainly not my role to go out and kick bags of goals. I’m keeping it simple now and understanding exactly what I’ve got to do – it’s given me a lot of clarity and confidence going in.”
Weightman bagged a five-goal haul in the Bulldogs’ Good Friday win over North Melbourne last week.
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