Weightman may need elbow surgery
Western Bulldogs star Cody Weightman could require surgery on his dislocated elbow which would sideline him for up to 12 weeks as Tom Liberatore and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan prepare to return against Hawthorn on Sunday.
The Dogs fell short against Fremantle on Saturday as coach Luke Beveridge bemoaned “another one that got away for us”.
The Dockers won by four goals but the game was up for grabs late until the Dogs’ midfield belting finally caught up with them. Liberatore was a late withdrawal through illness, while Ugle-Hagan missed a second game through family issues but will be ready against the Hawks.
The match review panel will assess small forward Rhylee West’s high shepherd on Brandon Walker which sidelined the Docker with a SCAT 6 test before he returned.
West could miss the Hawks game if the MRO decides it is a rough conduct charge which is medium impact given he did hit Walker in the head.
Weightman has played on this season despite dislocating an elbow he initially injured for the first time in 2022.
But after he was subbed off when he jarred it falling in a marking contest, Beveridge said he might need surgery.
North Melbourne’s Brayden George had off-season surgery for that issue and it cost him 12 weeks, the same time frame as Lachie Plowman was out with his elbow dislocation surgery in 2015.
“I don’t know whether he will need to have something done with that,” Beveridge said.
“As good a player as Cody is, things happen. Ultimately we hope he’s OK but he will need to have it looked at again and we will need to take a longerterm approach with him.
“Not that our staff haven’t but he’s such a tough bugger he stays on the ground. In the past he somehow has found a way but we will work through it with our medical crew.”
Ugle-Hagan did not fly with the team to Perth but should replace Rory Lobb, who was quiet against his old side.
“He trained this morning and trained strongly so we are hoping that he will be available for selection,” Beveridge said.