Cody Weightman has missed over a year of AFL action after suffering a knee injury that has required five surgeries to date.
The 24-year-old initially underwent surgery to treat a condition called bipartite patella, but had to undergo follow-up procedures after developing an infection in the knee.
While his on-field career has been stalled by injury, Weightman has found other creative outlets.
Already recognised for his artistic talent, Weightman decided to take on another challenge during his recovery.
The Bulldogs forward may have a future as an interior designer, showing off his renovated warehouse-turned-home.
The three-storey building has been completely transformed inside and includes bedrooms for Bulldogs teammates Lachlan Smith and Arthur Jones.
Cody Weightman’s warehouse home features an art studio where he can work at his easel or on his skateboards
The kitchen features marble work tops and integrated ovens
On one of the walls by the kitchen, living area Cody’s most ambitious artwork hangs
On the ground floor is Weightman’s art studio, where he paints at his easel or spray-paints skateboards—his ‘pride and joy’ and a place to experiment with new ideas.
So impressive are his skills that his latest piece, resembling a demonic figure holding a yellow surfboard, is set to be sent to England for the London Mural Festival later this year.
“That’s my design concept, which is getting sent over and stretched into a 7 x 7m mural on a massive wall,” he told CODE Sports.
“That’s going to be really cool to see come to life. It’s over in London, so I might have to get over there in the off-season and check it out.”
Weightman’s artwork features prominently throughout the house, especially in the completely renovated kitchen, which boasts an industrial-style cooking area reminiscent of a TV cooking show.
High above the kitchen, on exposed beams, hangs a projector angled at a painting on the wall near the kitchen entrance. It brings to life his most complex artwork yet—part painting, part animation.
The kitchen also features exposed beams where plants hang
Weightman undertook the renovation following surgery to deal with a knee injury
There is exposed brick throughout the house to keep the original warehouse feel
Weightman (pictured playing against Sydney in 2022) has been sidelined by injury for around 600 days
Weightman revealed that his vision for the kitchen changed after a visit to Japanese rooftop bar Disuko in the CBD.
“This whole kitchen took a bit of a turn. I originally had it as more of an earthy colourway, then I went to Disuko, which has a really cool vibe,” he said.
“I loved being in that space, so I changed the whole colourway to a similar vibe with the deep reds and the pink.
“I got the raw cabinets from Bunnings and ended up painting them in this colour, which matches the stone really well. We’ve tied through the stainless steel to give it that nice touch, which is the theme up here on the third level. There’s no plaster left up here—we wanted to colour-drench everything and give it a different energy.”
Weightman brought his housemates, Western Bulldogs teammates Lachlan Smith and Arthur Jones, along when he moved into the Brunswick warehouse and started his renovation project. Their bedrooms are on the second floor, with the kitchen on the top level.
In a post on Instagram revealing the full renovation, Weightman wrote:”My house is a home! Been blown away with how much you guys have enjoyed the house content.
“Had so much fun (and a few headaches) completing this but overall it served as the perfect distraction for me while navigating this long-term injury.
“So grateful for everyone involved that made this possible—already keen for the next one, but time for some football first.”
That last sentiment will be music to the ears of Bulldogs fans keen to see such a key part of their forward line return to action.
An impressive renovation during his rehab has put Weightman in prime position to return to the field and make a real impact.
