It was a moment utility forward Jake Waterman grabbed with both hands, subbing in and snapping a goal in his first 10 seconds on field, in what has since been referred to as ‘the best use of a sub to date’.
Putting the disappointment of being omitted for his first AFL clash against his brother and Essendon forward Alec behind him, the Eagles forward made an immediate impact after replacing injured star Tim Kelly (knee).
Waterman received the ball from a tap by small forward Jamaine Jones, as he sprinted from the sidelines to reach the play.
The 23-year-old’s beeline to the goal square rapidly paid off when he snared a rushed goal and dodging three Essendon players in the process.
“It all happened pretty quickly, but it was just a bit of raw emotion, coming on and kicking a snag to ease the nerves and the boys got around me which was good, it was a bit of an adrenaline rush,” Waterman told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“You just get lucky sometimes, and the way it panned out the play sort of burst open and we got a pretty nice look into the forward line.
“It wasn’t a very clean kick of the footy but it just wobbled through and the rest is history.”
After he had a moment to catch his breath, an excitable Kennedy bounded over to congratulate the youngster on his snap.
“He likes getting around the boys, and some would say that he cares about other’s goals more than his own, but it’s good to see ‘Kenners’ get around the boys.
“What he does just has such an impact on the group, especially myself and the younger boys having someone like him take as much care and interest in sharing the rewards with you and celebrating your own success as well as his.
“Moments like that are pretty special."
“I’ve looked up at him (Kennedy) for longer than I’ve been at the club, as one of the players I watched growing up.
“Him along with Mark LeCras, I was able to play with two of those legends of the footy club, and still being able to play with JK is special.
“I can’t put into words how much he’s taught me a player and a person.”
