YOUNG Blue Jacob Weitering is one of three new additions to Carlton’s 2020 leadership group.

The wise-beyond-his-years key defender is gearing up for what will be his fifth season in Navy Blue after a consistent 2019 in the backline.

Weitering spoke on the opportunity to join the leadership group on 3AW on Monday afternoon.

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Weitering reflects on growth

Jacob Weitering joined Sam McClure and Gerard Healy on Sportsday 3AW to chat about his growing experience in the AFL.


“It’s a massive honour to be a part of any leadership group and again to be voted in by your peers is also a great honour,” Weitering said.

“I’ve had some up and down years; I’ve certainly learnt from both the good and the bad and I’m very fortunate and privileged to be in the position that I am now.”



After what was a strong finish to the Blues’ 2019 under senior coach David Teague, Weitering is conscious of supporters expectations of the season ahead.

“There’s something really exciting brewing I’d like to think, we’ve certainly had some ups and downs this year since I’ve been at the Club and its certainly been a little bit frustrating to an extent,” he said.

“Myself as well as the group have certainly learnt a lot off those opportunities and we had a fresh start halfway through last year: you could see with the way we were playing football.”

“It was fresh, it was fun, it was risk free and that’s the way the Club’s feeling at the moment.”

Weitering joins the leadership group alongside fellow newcomer Liam Jones, forming a backline trio in the group with co-captain Sam Docherty.

Defence became a key strength for the Blues over the 2019 season, a consistent backline unit hitting form under the guidance of assistant coach Dale Amos.

“The chemistry we’ve built amongst that particular group is really strong. Obviously led by Dale Amos whose been the defender’s coach for the five years that I’ve been here,” he said.

“You’ve got Jonesy down there who was also voted into the leadership and a large amount of respect goes out to him in the way he goes about his football.

“We’ve got Doc coming back who’s pretty much been a coach the last two years so in terms of game knowledge and knowing how to play the game he won’t put a foot wrong.”