After enduring a difficult 2023 season, suffering a serious injury that saw him sidelined after round 12, Jake Waterman has expressed how happy he is to be back on the track with his teammates.

“From the first day we got back it’s been a ball really,” Waterman said.

“The hard work of pre-season, the feeling of doing it together with the boys and being out there is a great feeling, and there’s a good energy around the group at the moment.”

Impressing throughout pre-season with his fitness and form, Waterman said he had to build his body back from base level.

“It was just a bit of a reset, I’d come from nothing,” Waterman said.

“Pretty much as soon as the boys finished the season, that’s when I was starting again.

“I probably got a few weeks head start running-wise and was able to build a pretty good foundation to just jump in with the boys and from there I just kept going.

“Mentally, physically, it all adds up and I’m in pretty good nick at the moment and not taking things for granted, I’m just happy to be out there.”

Looking back on last year’s health battle, the 25-year-old utility player is feeling positive about his recovery.

“I want to say it’s behind me, but I’ve still got to do a few things and take some medication for a while,” Waterman said.

“It’s always in the back of my mind, but I’d like to say that I’m very much past it and very optimistic about the future.

“How I’ve handled it so far has been good, to be able to put myself in good stead to train pretty much all pre-season.”

A spot in the West Coast Eagles’ forward line will be hotly contested this season, with a number of players making a case for themselves as round one approaches.

Waterman is confident that his versatility will see him getting game time, whether it be up forward or elsewhere around the ground.

“It’s the same as what it’s always been for me really. My versatility has got me plenty of games before and it’s going to continue to be that way,” Waterman said.

“We’ve got a pretty competitive forward line at the moment, and round one is coming up. We’ve got our first competitive hit out in a couple of weeks against Freo.

“I’ve just got to keep putting my best foot forward, whether I’m out there or I’m not, just keep conducting myself in the same way and try to get better.”

After signing on with the club for another two years, Waterman said he’s excited to be in blue and gold as the team strives for success in 2024 and beyond.

“I just want to be a part of this,” Waterman said.

“In ten years, I want to sit back and look back and know that I was a part of some pretty special changes, and I want to be watching these young boys coming in, they’ve come in now and in ten years, watch them chop up the comp.

“I just love this club, and obviously the last couple of years and what we’ve been through, I just want to be a part of us coming out the other side and winning games of footy again.”