All-Australian defender Bailey Dale and star forward Cody Weightman have been added to the Western Bulldogs' leadership group for the 2025 season, with a trio of familiar faces to resume their formal roles.
Dale earned All-Australian honours in 2021, and has been a consistent member of the Bulldogs' best 23 since that season, failing to miss a game since 2020.
A ball magnet and sharp user off halfback, Dale averaged 24.8 possessions per game in 2024.
Weightman has shown flashes of superstar material since his arrival at the Kennel, but an injury-prone elbow has hindered his consistency at AFL level. Yet, his electrifying aerial ability and roving class is adored by the Bulldogs faithful, slotting seamlessly into a key-forward-heavy forward line.
Marcus Bontempelli will lead the Bulldogs for a sixth-straight season, with the 29-year-old arguably the best footballer in the league. He will be surrounded by a fellow midfielder and one of the Dogs' forward line spearheads as vice-captains, with Tom Liberatore and Aaron Naughton to resume their roles from the previous year.
Liam Jones, Taylor Duryea and Ed Richards also retain their formal leader positions in the team.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge announced the leadership group on Wednesday.
“We ask our players to reach for their own preparation and performance outer limits and extend themselves to support and help others do their best,” Beveridge said.
“Bailey Dale and Cody Weightman epitomise what their teammates need from them in this regard, both joining our six continuing player leaders who have been setting great examples on and off the field for a significant period of time.
“All our appointed leaders are willing to take on formalised responsibilities to positively influence our Club's chances of success and we thank them for this.”
The Bulldogs' 2025 campaign gets underway on Saturday March 15 against North Melbourne.
