Jacob Weitering Biography

Jacob Weitering caps another outstanding campaign and writes his name in Carlton's history books, becoming just the 23rd player to win multiple John Nicholls Medals as the club's best and fairest for 2023.

Jacob Weitering will undergo surgery on his injured right shoulder in a move that will sideline him for the next six weeks of the season.

Weitering injured his AC joint in a collision with Collingwood's Jordan De Goey in the Blues' 4-point defeat to the Magpies.

Patrick Cripps will be the sole of captain Carlton in 2022. Former co-captain Sam Docherty will stand down from captaincy duties for the 2022 season as he focuses on his recovery from testicular cancer.

Cripps will be supported by vice-captains Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering.

"Since arriving at the Club, I have seen first-hand the incredible passion Patrick has to bring team success to this football club. Equally, both Jacob and Sam set the standards for work-rate and professionalism and have earned the opportunity to lead as co-vice captains," Blues coach Michael Voss said.

Jacob Weitering agrees to a new four-year deal with Carlton that will keep him at the club until the end of 2025 and past 2023 when he was due to become a free agent.

Just a year after winning the NAB AFL Rising Star award, teenage sensation Sam Walsh has joined Carlton's leadership group.

Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty have been named co-captains for the second straight year, flanked by veterans Marc Murphy and Ed Curnow.

Another former No.1 draft pick, Jacob Weitering, and veteran defender Liam Jones join Walsh as the three new additions to the seven-man group.

"This is a significant step in the growth of our football club with our emerging generation of talent now ready to step into senior leadership positions," Docherty said.

"Weiters, Jonesy and Walshy are exceptional leaders in everything they do, whether it be on the training track, during games and living the values of our football club ? that is why they have earned their place in the leadership group.

"All three of them are born for the role, are quality Carlton people and we are excited to see them continue to grow as footballers and as individuals."

Carlton skipper Marc Murphy says the club will do everything it can to help Jacob Weitering out of his current form slump.

Weitering, who had a promising third pre-season and looked set to thrive in a permanent role in defence after starting 2017 in attack, has been quiet in both games so far during the 2018 season.

"He's only a young bloke but he's a great young guy with a really strong character," Murphy said.

"He knows he's not playing as well as what he can at the moment, but he's got an enormous amount of talent and he's a really proud young fella so we'll support him."

Jacob Weitering bags three goals as a forward in Carlton's season opener against Richmond.

"For his growth we'll develop him at both ends. We drafted him originally as a defender but we think in time he can be a genuine swingman," Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.

"This was another opportunity. He played a lot in defence in the JLT (Community Series), and this was a really good bite up forward. We think for his growth he'll play at both ends."

Jacob Weitering will play primarily in defence in 2017, but Carlton plans to develop the talented tall into a weapon that can eventually be deployed at both ends of the ground.

"I'm just really mindful that we as a club understand that he is only in his second year and if we chop and change things for him too randomly that can unsettle young players," Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.

"So we just want to make sure he's totally solidified as a defender first and then he can grow into other roles.

"But the long-term plan is he can play at both ends and we've already started to do that, but we just haven't done it flippantly."

Jacob Weitering says he is looking forward to matching up on the league's best forwards after bulking up in the pre-season.

"Obviously I've got to develop as much as I can in all areas and the body's certainly one," he said.

"Coming up against players like (Geelong's) Tom Hawkins and (St Kilda's) Nick Riewoldt, they're two different types of players - one running and one obviously a big-bodied forward who kicks lots of goals and likes to get into some contests.

"You've got to be versatile in today's league and that's what I've tried to do in the offseason, just put a little bit of weight on."

Jacob Weitering signs a new four-year deal with Carlton that will keep him at the club until the end of 2021.

"He is a committed and professional young footballer, and very hungry to learn and develop – he's a fierce competitor and with the younger crop of players coming through, will play a key role in the side," Carlton head of football Andrew McKay said.

"There is still plenty of progress to be made with his development, but we're thrilled that Jacob will be a long-term player for the Carlton Football Club."

No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering, who is averaging 19.3 disposals at 86.2 per cent efficiency after three matches, is the round three nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.

Weitering says he has not felt the added expectation placed upon him as the No.1 pick.

"You can think that and say it does add a little bit more pressure, but to me it's only a number," Weitering said.

"As soon as I set foot in the club and (Carlton coach) Brendon Bolton certainly enforced this, 'Whether you're pick one or pick 80 you're just another player on the list.'

"You're not entitled to anything or a game straight up and I had to work very hard to get that round one debut."

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton praises Jacob Weitering after the collected 26 disposals against the Suns in just his third game for the club.

"He plays beyond his years … with his composure, his intercept marks," Bolton said.

"He makes good decisions by foot (and) gives us a fair bit of drive out of there, so we’re rapt to have him and I think Carlton supporters should smile at that one."

Jacob Weitering makes his AFL debut for Carlton at the MCG with 17 disposals (12 kicks and 5 handballs), 7 marks and a tackle in a 9-point loss to Richmond.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says Jacob Weitering has earnt his place in the Blues squad that will take on Richmond in the club's 2016 season opener.

"(From) day one it wasn't about the number at which he was drafted, it was about him earning a spot, and he knew he wasn't entitled to anything," Bolton said.

"But this one he's entitled to. He played really well in the NAB series and he gets his first chance."

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says there is no need for the Blues to block out hype about No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering after the key defender moved into favouritism to win the NAB AFL Rising Star award.

Weitering pushed past Sydney Swans draftee Callum Mills and Melbourne midfielder Christian Petracca in betting markets on Friday night after another polished NAB Challenge performance.

He backed up his accomplished pre-season debut against Essendon two weeks ago with 15 possessions and seven marks against the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium.

"Our members should embrace that [hype] not close it off," Bolton said.

"Why do we not want to be excited about a young guy out of the under-18s who's doing OK?

"He's a professional, he'll learn to not let the noise distract him. He's very focused and determined to keep improving."

Michael Jamison says he has not seen a first-year player more physically ready to play AFL football than Blues draftee and teammate Jacob Weitering.

"He is really impressive," Jamison said.

"We look after the first-year players in terms of loads and things like that, but even off-field his willingness to learn and ask questions and really want to fast-track his development, that's probably been the thing that has stood out for me.

"It's always hard to tell (whether a first-year player will play round one), but he's as ready as any first-year player in terms of his body that I've seen."

He can play at either end of the ground but Carlton's No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering will begin his football education as a defender.

"I'd love to develop my football at both ends of the ground," Weitering said.

"I do feel more comfortable playing down back, so I think we'll just start from there."

Carlton pulls no surprises in the 2015 NAB AFL draft, snaring key defender Jacob Weitering with the No.1 pick.

"It was not a hard decision. He's a key-position player who is really level-headed, a smart boy who makes good decisions and who really reads the game well," Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"Like any of the boys we've selected, there will be no expectations on him to play AFL footy next year, but if he or the others do it's a big win for the club."

Likely No.1 pick Jacob Weitering says he is realistic about the impact he will have in his debut AFL season.

"You're an 18-year-old boy walking into a man's world," Weitering said.

"You can't go in there expecting to absolutely kill it and whoever brings you in there – whatever club that may be – they can't expect you to fix 100 per cent of the problems."

With debate raging on whether he will be this year's No.1 draft pick, Jacob Weitering is doing his best to not get caught up in the talk.

"You come to school and all your friends are talking about it, so you can't escape it at times," Weitering said.

"It's obviously a little bit hard when you're trying to concentrate on your football and schooling, but I bring it back to my circle of influence and what I can control."

Conveniently for Weitering, that circle of influence includes Travis Johnstone, his runner at the Stingrays and the man Melbourne chose with the first pick in the 1997 draft.

"Trav has been really good and been a fantastic mentor with all his knowledge and wisdom for what's to come," said Weitering

"He's always willing to have a quiet word with you and he's someone you can draw on if you're having any troubles, so he's been fantastic."

Jacob Weitering from the NAB AFL Academy is firming as the likely No. 1 pick in the 2015 AFL Draft.

"In one quarter he showed he was a cut above the rest," one recruiter said.

"He outplayed AFL opponents and did everything and more that you could have wanted to see from him."

"I'm yet to find a fault in him," said another recruiter.

"If he's not the first pick, then I'll fall off my chair."