Why West Coast’s win was Waterman’s watershed moment

West Coast Eagles, Jake Waterman, WAtoday main image.

There was plenty to like about the Eagles’ first win of the season on Sunday, albeit against an injury-ravaged Richmond outfit.

Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly helped lead a midfield fightback, then orchestrate a domination, while Harley Reid’s power and attacking flair continued to excite.

But it was the performance from a 25-year-old in his eighth season on the list which stood out most.

This was Jake Waterman’s watershed moment.

Alongside his career-best six goals was Waterman’s personal best efforts in marks (13) and contested marks (eight).

His contested mark tally was five more than the next best on field and his 11 score involvements was only trumped by Yeo’s 13.

But Waterman’s most impressive statistic on the day was the distance covered on the ground, a true reflection of just how hard he worked.

The son of a gun covered 14.2 kilometres, the most by any Eagle, behind Tiger Hugo Ralphsmith (14.4 kilometres) and equal with Seth Campbell.

His work off the ball was crucial, highlighted by repeat efforts, often running high up the ground on long, surging leads.

His fitness and ability to work over defenders is an asset, one which Tyler Young now knows all too well.

He turned the match in the second term with three goals as West Coast piled on eight goals in a term, kicking their highest first-half score since 2021.

If Waterman’s work ethic reflects his appetite to impact the contest, he’ll forge a very handy career.

His 89th outing in blue and gold was by far his most memorable.

Making his performance even more remarkable was his serious health scare last year, one which threatened to end his career.

Dockers stall on home straight again

For a second week in a row, the Dockers held a lead deep into the final quarter, before failing to ice the match, resulting in another heartbreaking narrow defeat and a return to WA with nothing to show for strong performances against top four contenders Port Adelaide and Carlton.

While their defence was brilliant and ranked number one in the competition, their inability to transfer their dominance of the game to the scoreboard proved an issue.

Their score of 9.9 (63) in both games of the past fortnight was the lowest this year.

Josh Treacy was superb in the second quarter on Saturday night, nailing three majors.

But despite doubling Port’s inside-50s (21-10) and clearances (12-6), and winning all four centre square clearances, all Fremantle had to show was a one-goal lead.

Bailey Banfield would love his two shots on goal deep in the final quarter over again, both of which were kicked out on the full.

Ruckman Sean Darcy’s return for Saturday’s Western Derby is set to push Luke Jackson forward, hopefully increasing Fremantle’s firepower.

Matt Taberner was largely ineffective at the weekend, kicking one goal from three touches, while the potential inclusion of Michael Frederick against the Eagles will bring about speed and much welcomed flair.

The Dockers were doing so much right for so long, but despite sitting seventh on the ladder with a 3-2, win-loss record, they will feel they should at least be four points better off.

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