FEED ‘WEID’ ON A LEAD
EMERGING Melbourne forward Sam Weideman says he wants to step up in Jesse Hogan’s absence and cement a permanent place in the Demons’ forward line.
The fourth-year forward said he had grown more confident at the top level after a career-best three-goal haul helped sink Geelong in last year’s elimination final.
Melbourne made the bold call to offload star spearhead Hogan in the trade period, in part, because the Dees believed the 196cm Weideman was ready to blossom.
Hungry for more opportunity and team success, the 22-year-old said the breakthrough win over the Cats on the big stage last year had sharpened his sense of self-belief.
“It was obviously an awesome feeling,” Weideman said.
“The game itself was special in its own way. It was certainly a relief to get that first finals win (in 12 years) under the belt.
“And just to see the crowd so happy and see the smiles on the faces, you could see the tears rolling down cheeks. It meant so much.
“But then to kick a few goals and play a bit of a part in it as well, it really gave me a lot more confidence especially going into this year, just to keep going like that.
“I still think about it and how it all played out.”
While Melbourne has managed a lengthy injury list over summer, including co-captains Nathan Jones (hamstring) and Jack Viney (foot), Christian Petracca (knee) and Clayton Oliver (shoulders), Weideman said he was “feeling fitter and stronger” after a trouble-free pre-season.
The Vermont product, who was taken No. 9 in the 2015 national draft, said Melbourne wanted to spread the goal-kicking load in the wake of Hogan’s departure.
“I see it as an opportunity, as a lot of boys have,” Weideman said.
“Hoges is obviously a fantastic player and leaves a bit of a hole there, but there’s a lot of boys champing at the bit to get that opportunity and work together as a forward line.
“We have so many different options now.”
High-flyer Joel Smith has been swung forward, while first-year hardnut Tom Sparrow (pick No. 27) has also impressed in his first summer and could step straight in.
Teammate Jake Lever said Weideman had already “taken his game to another level” over pre-season.
“Seeing his development, not only his size, but just in terms of his bodywork and the way he launches at the ball,” Lever said. “It’s going to be a really exciting year for him.”