Dale Weightman
Encyclopedia
Dale "Flea" Weightman is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Richmond
in the Australian Football League
between 1978 and 1993.
A brilliant, feisty and highly skilled small man, Weightman enjoyed an extended career in elite Australian football, despite suffering from diabetes since early adulthood. He overcame doubts about his size and ability to play the game and won many individual awards.
Weightman's early football with Mildura Imperials junior teams included competition best and fairest awards at under 15 and under 17 level, as well as three consecutive premierships. At this time, the north west area of Victoria was zoned exclusively to Richmond. The Tigers relocated Weightman to Melbourne in 1977, when he was 17. He enrolled at Melbourne High School and played for the school team, which won the schoolboy "Herald Shield". These matches were played as curtain raisers to the VFL's Tuesday night series games. Weightman first came under notice in this series. Meanwhile, on Saturdays, he turned out for the Tigers' under 19 side, and played as first rover in the team's victory against Fitzroy in the Grand Final.
Weightman was selected for his senior debut in the opening round of 1978, despite some doubts about his lack of size. He played well in a winning team, but quickly found himself back in the reserves when the team's fortune slumped. This was the pattern for his first two seasons before his career turned around in 1980. After several years in the wilderness, Richmond returned to form due to the improvement of a number of young players such as Weightman. He was now sharing the roving duties with West Australian Robert Wiley. The season culminated in a record win over Collingwood in the 1980 Grand Final
, when Weightman had twenty possessions. In the post season, he won Victorian selection for the first time.
The feature of Weightman's game was his constructive handball. He played well in the losing 1982 VFL Grand Final
against Carlton.
Weightman represented the Australian state of Victoria
, and was state captain in 1987 and 1988 v Western Australia, and against New South Wales in 1990. Overall, he played a total of 20 State of Origin
games. His other honours include winning the Tassie Medal
in 1985.
Weightman is a diabetic, however this has not stopped him from being active, and in 2005, Weightman continued to have an impact in the EJ Whitten Legends Game at the Telstra Dome
with competitors that were mostly around five or six years his junior. He also participated in the 2006 match. Weightman continues to be a regular face at the Richmond Football Club, and has been one of the Richmond runners on match day on and off for the past few years.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
between 1978 and 1993.
A brilliant, feisty and highly skilled small man, Weightman enjoyed an extended career in elite Australian football, despite suffering from diabetes since early adulthood. He overcame doubts about his size and ability to play the game and won many individual awards.
Weightman's early football with Mildura Imperials junior teams included competition best and fairest awards at under 15 and under 17 level, as well as three consecutive premierships. At this time, the north west area of Victoria was zoned exclusively to Richmond. The Tigers relocated Weightman to Melbourne in 1977, when he was 17. He enrolled at Melbourne High School and played for the school team, which won the schoolboy "Herald Shield". These matches were played as curtain raisers to the VFL's Tuesday night series games. Weightman first came under notice in this series. Meanwhile, on Saturdays, he turned out for the Tigers' under 19 side, and played as first rover in the team's victory against Fitzroy in the Grand Final.
Weightman was selected for his senior debut in the opening round of 1978, despite some doubts about his lack of size. He played well in a winning team, but quickly found himself back in the reserves when the team's fortune slumped. This was the pattern for his first two seasons before his career turned around in 1980. After several years in the wilderness, Richmond returned to form due to the improvement of a number of young players such as Weightman. He was now sharing the roving duties with West Australian Robert Wiley. The season culminated in a record win over Collingwood in the 1980 Grand Final
1980 VFL Grand Final
The 1980 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Richmond Football Club and Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 1980. It was the 84th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to...
, when Weightman had twenty possessions. In the post season, he won Victorian selection for the first time.
The feature of Weightman's game was his constructive handball. He played well in the losing 1982 VFL Grand Final
1982 VFL Grand Final
The 1982 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Richmond Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 1982. It was the 86th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
against Carlton.
Weightman represented the Australian state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, and was state captain in 1987 and 1988 v Western Australia, and against New South Wales in 1990. Overall, he played a total of 20 State of Origin
Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
games. His other honours include winning the Tassie Medal
Tassie Medal
The Tassie Medal was awarded to the outstanding player at each Australian rules football Interstate Carnival or Australian interstate championship series held between 1937 and 1988 with the exception of the 1975 knock-out series....
in 1985.
Weightman is a diabetic, however this has not stopped him from being active, and in 2005, Weightman continued to have an impact in the EJ Whitten Legends Game at the Telstra Dome
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
with competitors that were mostly around five or six years his junior. He also participated in the 2006 match. Weightman continues to be a regular face at the Richmond Football Club, and has been one of the Richmond runners on match day on and off for the past few years.