Pinch-hitting in the ruck wasn’t necessarily a role Jake Waterman was expecting to play, but the West Coast forward is thriving being in the thick of the action more often.

Waterman’s mantra of doing anything for the team has seen him employed as the back-up to ruck Bailey Williams, and third tall forward alongside Oscar Allen and Jack Darling.

After building match fitness with the WAFL Eagles following an interrupted pre-season, the 24-year-old hit the ground running on his senior return, booting four goals from 16 touches in a victory over the Giants in round two.

He backed-up that equal career-best haul with another four majors with 20 disposals in a tough loss to Geelong last Sunday in Gather Round.

When he hasn’t been stationed inside the attacking arc, Waterman has been chipping-in around the stoppages and, while he isn’t providing “silver service” to the Eagles midfielders, he is giving a contest in the air and at ground level.

"It's a change up for sure; it just gets you around the ball," Waterman said. 

“Playing forward at times when you’re not getting too many inside 50s you can get a bit detached from the game and lose touch on how things are going at times.

“Being around the ball a little bit helps you get involved a little bit more.

"Match-ups and whatnot are a massive factor in what the coaches choose to go with but my mantra has been my whole career I'll put my hand up to do anything and it got me a game at the start of the year.

"I'm not getting my hands to too many hitouts in there, so it's not going to be silver service for the boys, it's just try and follow-up and create a contest at ground level. 

"If you can win a clearance and get the ball going forward that's a big win."

Heading into his seventh season on the list, the son-of-a-gun had to deal a limited preparation due to knee surgery and missed round one to build match fitness with the WAFL Eagles.

Waterman didn’t want to set his expectations too high too early into his return, and while he has kicked nine goals in four games he measures his performance on more than just scoreboard impact.

“If you measure how good you’re going off goals you’re going to be pretty up and down,” Waterman said.

“I’m just trying to keep a consistent mindset on myself and my preparation and not focus too much on how I’m hitting the scoreboard.

“I’m in a nice spot at the moment and I’ve just got to keep standing up in games.”

Despite the availability challenges the Eagles are facing, the playing group and club remains united to weather a difficult stretch and come out the other side stronger and more resilient.

“There are some (positive) signs and we’re remaining pretty optimistic and tight about how things are going,” Waterman said ahead of a trip to face Port Adelaide. 

“Obviously it’s unfortunate for the boys that get injured. You see the amount of work they put in to get their bodies right and to have it taken away, which is out of their control.

“But as a player that’s still available I’m just trying to put my hand and take a lot of responsibility and it just gives a few more boys opportunities.

“We’ve got to move on. We can’t dwell on what we don’t have and focus on what we do have.”

The WAFL Eagles have been at the mercy of the AFL squad’s lack of availability and were up against it taking on reigning premier West Perth with just 20 fit players after more injuries struck in the opening minutes of a heavy defeat on Saturday.

With just six AFL-listed players available – all of whom were aged 20 or under – Rob Wiley’s side couldn’t match the Falcons but will regroup ahead of hosting East Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

“They had a tough day on the weekend,” Waterman said.

“Coming up against an experienced WAFL side like West Perth, they are on an AFL list but they’re only young kids and for them to stand up and take the responsibility of leading the WAFL team … it’s a very tough comp.

“It’s great exposure for those young kids that are playing that are on our list and the young WAFL boys as well.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll be going ahead with the game. We don’t want to be postponing games that’s for sure. We’re a proud club.

“No matter who is playing, no matter who puts the jumper on at WAFL level I’m sure they’re going to give it a red-hot crack.”