DESPITE HAVING a mature head on his shoulders from the moment he walked through the doors of IKON Park, Jacob Weitering has had to learn a new lesson in recent weeks. 

Prior to the Round 11 clash with Collingwood, Weitering had missed just eight games through injury since his debut back in 2016. None of those required surgery. 

So, when he found himself with an AC joint injury that resulted in a shoulder operation, the co-vice captain who had been an ever-present in Carlton’s backline needed to pivot his focus. 

Unsurprisingly, Weitering - who was speaking on SEN on Thursday morning - said his time on the sidelines felt much more slow and arduous than he wished. 

“Five weeks has felt a little bit longer,” Weitering said.

“I’ve tried to keep pretty level and understand that it could’ve been much worse… everything looks good for Sunday.”

Having been in full training over the last two weeks, Weitering said he tried to push to return for last week’s Friday night clash with St Kilda: however, “the shoulder just didn’t feel quite right”.

Labelling it as a smart decision to give it some extra time to heal, particularly leading into a nine-day break, Weitering has been attempting to keep busy and take on a different role to assist his teammates both during the week and on game day. 

The 2020 John Nicholls Medallist said he has ride the highs and lows as much as anyone in recent weeks. 

“When the boys are winning and playing the way they were against Fremantle, it’s very easy. But at the same time, when we played St Kilda, that was a tough one to watch,” he said.

“The boys have been doing a super job without me.

“When it came to game day, I tried to help out or provide advice on any questions that needed answering. I was in the coaches’ box for two games, Essendon and Fremantle — both wins, I might add!”

While injured, Weitering drew on the lessons he observed from Sam Docherty, who underwent two consecutive knee reconstructions over 2018 and 2019 but refused to be drawn on the negativity of the situation in front of the playing group.

“He was almost back at the Club the next day after he did his second knee… it has only been the five weeks, so I’m lucky from that point of view,” he said.

“It’s been a good experience. You’ve got to have a bit of patience and understand that your mood influences others as well. 

“I’ve tried to be as positive and help out as much as I can.”