Key forwards are generally measured only by their goal haul. Jake Waterman has been highly effective in that major KPI in the last month, but he offers so much more.
Again he hit the scoreboard with three goals against the Bombers and was a ubiquitous presence deep in attack.
The other aspects of his game that don’t draw the same level of attention are his work rate and the one-percenters. He was opposed largely to Jayden Laverde, tested the ‘tank’ of his marksman and was able to consistently break into space.
He worked hard up and down the ground and his physical commitment to the contest, including a wonderful smother in the last quarter, were all part of his contribution.
Waterman took eight marks – six of them inside the forward 50 – and when he could not mark the ball he ensured it came to ground.