Cody Weightman nears AFL return, Zero Hanger reports

Cody Weightman is on the cusp of an AFL return after 20 months out, with the Western Bulldogs leaning toward a straight recall at senior level. The zero hanger for the Bulldogs is that he has not played since the 2024 elimination final loss to Hawthorn, and he did not feature at all in 2025.

Weightman and Hawthorn

Next Friday night against Hawthorn is the most likely comeback date, with this weekend also in the frame. Weightman completed full training across May after a layoff that began with knee operations linked to bipartite patella, and infections then delayed his return long enough to wipe out the full season.

The forward’s record before the injury run explains why he is still viewed as a usable senior option. He kicked 36 goals in 2022, 34 in 2023 and 27 in 2024, then spent the whole of 2025 out of action.

Tim English and Collingwood

Tim English missed a second game because of concussion on Sunday and is yet to complete training with the main group, the final stage before leaving concussion protocols. The Bulldogs are hopeful he will be cleared in time to face Collingwood on Saturday night, but they will not know his status until later in the week.

That leaves the club juggling two selection calls at once. Luke Beveridge turned to Rory Lobb against Max Gawn in Sunday’s win over Melbourne, and the Bulldogs had already been strongly considering a mature-age ruck at the Mid-Season Rookie Draft on Tuesday night with Louis Emmett and Lachie Smith having not played at AFL level before English’s injuries.

English has now missed five of the past seven games, so the Bulldogs’ ruck depth is still being tested even with the win over Melbourne. Weightman’s return would give Beveridge another forward option at a time when the club is trying to stabilize the lineup around a possible comeback and a possible clearance in the same week.