Jake Waterman

Recruited as a father-son selection in the 2016 National Draft, Jake Waterman carried the famous surname of dual premiership Eagle Chris Waterman but carved out his own niche as a hard-running forward. After debuting in the club's premiership year of 2018, he spent his early seasons fluctuating between the seniors and the WAFL, often playing second fiddle to established stars Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. For much of this period, he was utilised as a high half-forward or swingman, struggling to lock down a permanent role while also battling a serious inflammatory bowel disease in 2023 that threatened to derail his career entirely.

Waterman's trajectory shifted dramatically following Kennedy's retirement, as he seized the opportunity to become the focal point of the West Coast attack. His breakout 2024 campaign, which earned him All-Australian honours, showcased his elite work rate, strong contested marking, and reliable set-shot kicking. Once considered a fringe utility, he transformed into a durable key position pillar, providing essential leadership and scoring power during a challenging rebuild phase for the club.