It was mid-June last year and the West Coast Eagles were preparing for a tough match-up with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Already decimated by injury, forward Jake Waterman was a late exclusion through illness. He was on the first available flight back to Perth, but few, if anyone, anticipated the depth of the issue.

The nausea and pain that ripped through his body was anything but a routine illness. He was hospitalised for about 10 days and eventually diagnosed with ulcerated colitis, a debilitating bowel inflammation.

Not only was Waterman’s season over, but his career was also in jeopardy and he had a tough road ahead to return to full health and a ‘normal’ life-style.

That he was not only able to conquer the illness, albeit still requiring regular medication, it was one of the great stories of the 2024 AFL season.  

Waterman’s season was remarkable; the Eagles leading goalkicker with 53 goals, third in the Club Champion Award and an All-Australian.

The first signs that Waterman could fight his way through to again become a key component in the West Coast Eagles squad came in the demanding 2km pre-season time trial. Almost unbelievably he led the field.

Driven by a determination to continue his career into an eighth season and beyond, Waterman was actually in elite condition and that provided the platform for his stunning output.

It also prompted a contract extension which will see the popular forward remain an Eagle for another five years.

“It wasn’t a pleasant time for me or my family and it came out of the blue,” Waterman reflected.

“I flew home early from the game in Adelaide where I was a late out and ended up spending nine or 10 days in hospital after being diagnosed with a bowel inflammation called ulcerated colitis.

“I lost a bit of weight throughout that period, something I had never experienced before and it was quite an uncertain time. Once I found out what it was, it was about how can I get back to leading a happy, normal life.

“Then once I got it sorted out, it was about how can I get back running around again.

“The pre-season put me on a good path. I have been surprised at how many goals I have been able to kick, but I have played a bit deeper this year.”

He became a focal point in attack, averaged seven marks and 2.7 goals per game as he imposed himself on the competition. The father-son recruit also played his 100th game in the round 22 derby against Fremantle.

Given that extraordinary output, it was hardly a surprise that the club re-negotiated his contract at season’s end. He was already locked away for 2025, but extended the agreement by another four years.  

“It’s an honour to sign a long-term contract with a great club like West Coast and a massive weight off the shoulders,” said Waterman.

“I’m just happy that I have locked away a contract for the next five years. I have grown up walking the halls of family homes with blue and gold plastered all over the walls.

“While there was that speculation early in the year (about going to a rival club) I had my heart set on playing here and I’m just happy it’s done.

“It was a bit different coming off the back of last year. I just wanted to focus on having fun again and when you drop all those internal expectations I find things just flow nicely.

“From the moment I got back into pre-season all the way through the year I was just dropping the shoulders a little bit and going out there; just being grateful to be playing with my mates.”