Western Bulldogs small forward Cody Weightman faced fears that his life in football might be over after consistent injuries derailed his emerging career.
But after having the goal of playing one game in 2026, Weightman featured 11 times for the Dogs as he found a continuity in his body that had been missing for 18 months.
The star Bulldog returned for his first game since 2024 in Round 13 against Hawthorn and finished with seven goals for the season, including two in the Wildcard Final win over Collingwood.
Speaking to Western Bulldogs Media, Weightman said his time out of the game had given him a revised perspective to enjoy every second out on the field because it can end anytime.
"When you are in the cage down near the goal umpire, I felt a little more laid back playing again through the scope that I might never have done it again," Weightman said.
"I really tried to enjoy those little things that in other years I would have probably waited until after the game to engage with fans. I was able to relax this year and enjoy what that was and what it is to have people chanting your name and have a crowd there supporting with a common goal.
"It's something that I certainly can't get enough of and will miss one day."
That mature outlook has stemmed from time on the sidelines after consistent injury problems to his knee, elbow and shoulder during his AFL journey.
The Flea, as he is affectionately dubbed, was becoming one of the league's best small forwards before he remained glued to the rehab group. Across his first 76 games, he booted 126 goals.
Having danced with his football mortality on many occasions over the past two seasons, Weightman said it allowed him to set up another part of his life: his art business, Project Cody.
"I know what I want to do after football, and I have set that up as a business and have this thing that I am sort of obsessive over, how it can grow and be better at," he said.
"I feel like I am in a good place that whenever my career does end, I am ready to step into the real world; I guess that's not under the football umbrella and protected. For a while that was something that scared me a lot was life after football.
"It is a good feeling to have gotten to a place where I am much more comfortable in the idea of not having footy in my life."
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In the absence of Weightman in 2026, his good friend and fellow small forward Arthur Jones rose to the occasion in a breakout season.
Jones booted 27 goals from 20 games while under the mentorship of Weightman.
"My type of leadership is probably a little different to the other boys, but I really enjoyed my time in the leadership group as a non-player. I felt like it connected me to the group and I had a purpose," Weightman said.
"I didn't have a small forward as a mentor when I got to the club. Hopefully, I can be that in ways to some of the younger boys coming through. When I'm done, I will get to see them thrive, and hopefully I get a few years to thrive with them.
"I see a lot of what 'Arty' does in what I did as a kid when I was younger, 18-21 or 22. Most players go through that period of unknown and uncertainty, your just sort of clinging onto hope that you will make it and you will get your chance and it will come good.
"Just to see him work really hard for it, I guess, over the past five years, I'd say. You don't know if it is going to happen, and seeing him sit in that for a long period of time makes it rewarding seeing him reap the benefits of being patient in those moments and trusting he was improving.
"He obviously got his go this year and was able to really grab it and impact games and do that for a long period of time, which he had shown bursts of in prior seasons. To do it for a whole year, it was something he is going to be so much better for next year and the year beyond. I enjoy piggy-backing his energy now."
Weightman will form part of a threatening Western Bulldogs forward line in 2027 that will feature himself and Jones, along with returning star Sam Darcy and key forward Aaron Naughton.
