AFL star Cody Weightman makes STUNNING return from injury after 353 days out of the game

Footage has been captured of AFL star Cody Weightman’s heartwarming return to training.

The Western Bulldogs forward hasn’t played an AFL game since September 2024 after being struck down by serious knee problems.

Weightman has had to undergo five surgeries and has also battled infections. But he’s made significant progress across the summer break.

He’s also now progressed to putting one foot in front of the other for the first time in a year.

His Bulldogs teammates have been snapped lining up either side of the popular player. They are then seen cheering as he sets off at their Sunshine Coast training camp.

Weightman’s struggles began nearly a year ago when he underwent knee surgery after being diagnosed with a bipartite patella.  

The Bulldogs star (pictured) is set to take part in an AFL natch for the first time in over a year next month

Weightman (pictured) is back on the training paddock and signs are encouraging for his return

‘This could be the weirdest (injury) – I’ve been a bit unlucky unfortunately and collected a fair few surgeries now in my short career so far,’ he told SEN at the time.

‘It’s a bit of a genetic one connected to a knock I got around Christmas time and unfortunately had to go under the knife.’

‘I had to get a bit of my hip actually put into my knee in the end. It was a bit of a bone graft – there was a bit of missing bone in the knee where the gap was. (I also got) two pins through the parts of the knee to connect them back up.’

The footage posted of Weightman’s return to running on social media has been well received by Bulldogs fans.

‘I am so so happy to see Cody back. I miss him so so much,’ one social media user said.

‘Hell yeah Cody,’ another added.

‘Bloody champion – what a long road for Cody,’ another claimed.

The video posted to the Western Bulldogs social media account has been liked almost 12,000 times.

Weightman has played 74 games in the AFL. He has also kicked 125 goals.