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<\/a><\/p>\nWestern Bulldogs<\/a> forward Cody Weightman<\/a> is looking increasingly like a long shot to play in the opening round as he recovers from a string of knee operations.<\/p>\n Although Weightman hasn’t been officially ruled out, a return beyond Round 4 looms as the most likely scenario as his comeback drags on.<\/p>\n Weightman was restricted to stationary drills at Whitten Oval on Monday as the rehab group was put through a running session.<\/p>\n He will have to take several significant steps before being considered for AFL<\/a> selection and the Dogs will take an ultra-cautious approach as the season approaches.<\/p>\n Weightman’s entire 2025 season was derailed by a string of knee issues – requiring surgery to fix a damaged knee cap and then a series of debilitating complications.<\/p>\n The star forward was on the sidelines as the Dogs went through four shortened quarters of match sim, complete with AFL<\/a> umpires.<\/p>\n All-Australian Ed Richards<\/a> didn’t take part in the scratch match, instead in rehab and running laps after undergoing post-season shoulder surgery.<\/p>\n Ryley Sanders<\/a>, a pre-Christmas hamstring victim, is still not in the main group and joined Richards in the running session.<\/p>\n Coach Luke Beveridge<\/a> didn’t pull too many surprises with his positional set-up in a willing scratch match.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs’ eagerness to push Joel Freijah<\/a> into an already stacked midfield stood out, and Adam Treloar<\/a>, who has had a wretched run with soft tissue injuries, was impressive in the first half before being given a spell.<\/p>\n
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Western Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman at training on Monday (Image: Zero Digital Sports)<\/p>\n
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