West Coast forward Jake Waterman is turning his back on rival interest elsewhere in order to fight for his spot at AFL level with the Eagles in 2022.
The 23-year-old managed just 14 appearances this season, two less than his rookie season in the blue and gold during West Coast's premiership campaign in 2018.
Waterman inked a new deal in October last year that ties his services to Lathlain Park until the end of the 2023 season, having shown promising glimpses as a forward option for coach Adam Simpson.
Contending for attacking spots alongside Jack Darling, Josh Kennedy and Oscar Allen has given Waterman a challenge to cement his place in the Eagles' forward structure, with the athletic spearhead managing less than a goal per game in 2021.
Forward
Disposals
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Goals
At times out of favour at West Coast, clubs have been expressing some level of interest in Waterman's services, with his manager Paul Peos tellingย SportFM 91.3ย that his client is prepared to continue his battle in fighting for opportunities t the Eagles.
"Weโve fielded quite a number of inquiries on Jake this year," Peos said.ย
โJake is a contracted player and had only just committed at this time last year, so heโs a pretty keen participant to be part of the Eagles.
"I wonโt deny that there was some frustration building in Jake this year... with playing in different roles and not being able to settle.
"He didnโt get that sustainability of opportunity in a role where he could really build on his year.
โHe plays well as a forward, he knows how to find the scoreboard โ heโs pretty consistent with that. Weโre just looking for him to have some nice, consistent opportunity.
"I believe itโll come but weโll wait and see how that folds out through 2022."
Waterman has played 53 games for the Eagles across four seasons at the club, booting 50 goals and averaging 5.47 marks per game.
