Cody Weightman interview after return from injury, video, considered retiring, Mabior Chol calls out racial abuse on social media, Jed Walter meets with Essendon, latest news

Cody Weightman was beaming from ear to ear after his first AFL game in over 600 days.

But the Bulldogs gun has admitted he considered retirement after falling out of love with the game during the low points of his injury rehab.

Plus Mabior Chol has called out disgusting racial abuse. Read on in AFL Daily.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

WEIGHTMAN’S NEAR RETIREMENT REVEAL AFTER 600-PLUS DAY RETURN

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Cody Weightman’s face after his first AFL game in over 600 days.

Weightman returned from chronic knee injuries in the Bulldogs’ thrilling comeback win over Hawthorn on Friday night at the MCG.

But while the star small forward was beaming from ear to ear in the jubilant Dogs rooms, he admitted there were low times during his rehab when he “lost a bit of love for footy” and considered giving the game away.

Until a “moment” of realisation when he “felt the love” from teammates in his first run back on the track.

“I feel like there was patches there was patches there where I didn’t know if my body was going to let me (get back),” Weightman told Fox Footy post-match.

“Then you sort of lose a bit of the love for footy, and was sort of deciding even if I wanted to play for a bit there.

“I reckon I did my first run and just felt the love from the team and everything.

“I was really emotional that day, it was sort of the moment I realised I want to play again and did want to be a part of it and rip into my rehab.

“This is why, I guess. To have mum and dad down here, your mates, see everyone and the energy of the room.

“There’s no job in the world that will replicate it. I’m just glad I get to do it again and hopefully there’s a few more in me.

“I’ll do the hard stuff later, instead of now.”

READ ALSO

‘WON’T LIKE IT’: AFL’s newest ‘antagonist’ responds to rival’s sledge after ugly fan incident

‘KEEP ME UP FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS’: Mitchell rues stark Hawks flaw in ‘disappointing’ fadeout

IN AND UNDER: Inside four-club Butters race; Dons’ ‘complicated case’ for AFL help

Weightman recorded 11 disposals and didn’t hit the scoreboard in managed game time at under 70 per cent.

But the 25-year old, who hasn’t played at any level since the Elimination Final loss to Hawthorn in 2024, said it was “a really good game to be part of” and “just nice to be part out there”.

“More the new rules and stuff I had to get used to. Hard to anticipate turnover when you don’t know what’s happening sometimes,” he said.

“The Hawks play quick, and so do we, so I knew it was going to be quick.

“I actually surprised myself, I’ve done a lot of jogging in rehab, so I think I had a bit of a tank.

“Managed minutes definitely helped, I was coming off a few times.

“The body felt fine, the club got me ready. I was doing rehab sessions that I was trying to make harder than VFL, so it felt like I was actually bridging the gap.

“I know there was some talk around whether I was going to be right or not, but we’ve got a great medical team, so trusted them and I felt great.”

Weightman said it “felt like my debut again” early in the week and that he was “a bit nervous to go to bed and think about the game.”

But those nerves very much calmed as the game drew closer in “the least anxious” he’d “ever been“ before a match and greater appreciation to simply be healthy.

The drive into the ground with Arty Jones singing along to his “beats” certainly seemed to help!

“The closer we got, it actually felt better and you get a bit more control,” he said.

“The drive in was good, I live with Arty Jones, so drove in with him. He plays his beats and fires me up. He was good, he sings the whole way in, I was just on my phone, cruising.

“It was really cool, I wasn’t actually as nervous as I thought I’d be.

“Yeah, I don’t know, it was really interesting. Probably the least anxious I’ve ever been to play, I normally get pretty anxious to play.

“But I think I was a bit more grateful than normal, probably. Just to look around and appreciate what I’m doing and not knowing if I’d ever do it again, I suppose. It was a nice feeling.”

‘DON’T BE LIKE THIS GUY’: CHOL CALLS OUT DISGUSTING RACIAL ABUSE

Hawthorn forward Mabior Chol has called out disgusting racial abuse on social media after Friday night’s fiery loss to the Western Bulldogs. And the Hawks have this morning pledged to “work closely with the AFL” on the matter.

Chol took to Instagram to re-share a screenshot of a series of abhorrent messages he received from a user.

“You can talk s*** all you want but don’t be like this guy,” Chol said in a caption on his Instagram story after his three-goal performance.

It’s not the first time Chol has been targeted by racist trolls.

The goalkicker called out racial abuse on social media in 2022 while he was a member of the Gold Coast Suns after a three-goal game against Carlton.

The AFL Players Association hit out at the troll on Saturday morning.

“Abuse, harrassment, and racial vilification of our members is never OK. This behaviour doesn’t belong in our game,” a spokesperson said.

“Our players should never be subjected to the abhorrent messages that Mabior received last night.

“Mabior has shown great courage in calling it out and the AFLPA supports players reporting this behaviour to the relevant authorities.

“Mabior has access to our full support services.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, Hawks CEO Ash Klein condemned the abuse.

“Hawthorn Football Club strongly condemns the vile and appalling racist social media messages Mabior Chol received following Friday night’s match,” he said.

“It is simply not acceptable. There is no place for racism in our game and in our society.

“If you are the sort of person who thinks it’s ok to make a comment or send a message like this, we don’t want you as part of our game.

“We commend Mabior’s courage in calling this out and we stand with him. Our immediate focus is on wrapping our arms around and supporting Mabior.

“Hawthorn Football Club is working closely with the AFL on this matter.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon issued his own statement on Saturday morning, stating the fan was “not welcome” in the game.

“The AFL strongly condemns the vile and racist social media messages sent to Hawthorn player Mabior Chol following Friday night’s match,” he said.

“Racism has no place anywhere, anytime – not in our game, not in the community and not online. Players, or anyone, should never be subjected to this sort of abuse.

“To be clear, if you think this behaviour is acceptable, then you are not welcome in our game.

“Mabior’s courage to call this out should be commended and our immediate focus is supporting him and the Hawthorn Football Club.

“The AFL Integrity Unit will work with the club on this matter.”

BOMBERS MEET WITH RIVAL YOUNGSTER ‘HOURS AFTER’ SCOTT SACKING

The Gold Coast Suns may be desperate to keep young gun Jed Walter beyond this season, but there’s reports Essendon have already met with the former No.3 pick after Brad Scott’s sacking last month.

According to afl.com.au, Scott was supposed to lead that meet and greet with Walter to push Essendon’s case.

But his abrupt exit meant it was left to club president Andrew Welsh to attend that meeting instead.

“The Bombers had scheduled a meeting with Walter as he weighed up his future, which Scott was due to front … The catch-up with Walter went ahead and was led by Essendon president Andrew Welsh as they sold their vision to the exciting forward,” afl.com.au’s Cal Twomey reported.

Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph last week revealed the Suns had tabled Walter an offer worth $750,000 per season – for as short as two years if required, but were also willing to put forward a longer-term contract should the key forward seek greater security.

Ralph also reported Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong and Adelaide had all shown interest in Walter.

Just this week coach Damien Hardwick issued a plea to Walter to remain at the Suns.

“The fact of the matter is this is an exciting group. This is an exciting team that is capable of greatness, in my view,” Hardwick told reporters.

Hardwick said Walter – who’s kicked 12 goals from six games so far this season, including consecutive hauls of three goals in his past two matches – had taken “enormous strides” in recent weeks and was “starting to look like a No.1 key forward, which we knew he would be”.

“It’s one of those things with Jed, there was always going to be one step back to go two steps forward – and now we’re starting to see the player that we feel we’ve always known,” he said.

“It can be very, very frustrating as a player and we understand that. Obviously from opportunity, all the kid wants to do is play AFL senior footy.

“We personally think the best place for Jed to be is up here. You look at our temperature today, beautiful. You know what it’s like in Melbourne? Sh**house.

“Stay here, Jed!”

Essendon reportedly has a salary cap warchest of around $3 million to splash come the off-season.