From Bedridden to All-Australian: Inside Eagle’s Incredible Comeback

How injury helped Waterman find his best | 01:34

Eagles star Jake Waterman says it’s “no coincidence” he’s playing career-best footy after his life-changing illness.

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Amid fears he wouldn’t play again after being left bedridden in an Adelaide hotel room in mid-2023, Waterman turned his life upside down when later diagnosed with auto-immune disease.

With his ulcerative colitis managed, Waterman produced a stunning 2024 campaign that saw him win his first All-Australian honours.

A massive contract extension, reportedly worth close to $1 million a season, followed with Waterman’s career on the rise.

“As soon as I turned that initial corner (with his health battle), the footy nuffy in me found its way to the fore and I was pretty keen on getting back and just resetting my football career,” he told foxfooty.com.au

“I had a no fuss approach to where I saw my future – it’s funny when you drop the shoulders a little bit what can happen.

“I don’t take things for granted – I have a bit of perspective in life. It works wonders.

“It’s no coincidence I had my career-best year off the back of that mind frame.”

Waterman explained it was his health battle that “helped” him prioritise what he wanted to achieve in the AFL.

“I got my body in a good space, a bit of opportunity, playing a good couple of games does a world of good for the confidence,” he said.

“I was able to take my game to the next level and I’m pretty proud of what I was able to come back from and where I was able to get my footy and my body, and my quality of life back to.

“I definitely don’t take playing footy at the highest level for granted.

“Getting caught in the up and down cycles of this league is a pretty tough thing to endure – so many of us have endured it for years.

“For me, in the nicest way possible, I wasn’t taking it too seriously week after week.

“Obviously my performance I take a lot of pride in that, but I wasn’t getting too caught up in the ups and downs of playing a good game/bad game or wins and losses. There’s definitely something in that.”

Jake Waterman celebrates a goal. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

It’s been a stunning rise for the 26-year-old who was one of the last players signed to West Coast’s list for 2024.

It wasn’t until the October that the Eagles got a deal done – before Waterman would go on to spearhead the attack with 53 goals in just 20 games in 2024.

It’s just the second time an Eagle has eclipsed the 50-goal mark in a season since Jack Darling did it in 2019.

But it’ll be a new-look forward line without Darling – who had been a West Coast mainstay since 2011 and finishes behind only Josh Kennedy for goals kicked for the club – after the veteran was traded to North Melbourne.

“Jack was such a legend for this football club – it’s going to be different not having him in the forward line,” he said.

“He’s been a staple for so many years.

“We’ve got myself and Oscar (Allen) … You throw guys like Jamie Cripps, Liam Ryan and add Matty Owies to that forward line, we get Noah Long back after a year out with injury – we’ve got a lot of variety.”

West Coast will take on North Melbourne in their opening pre-season fixture on March 1, with the match to be played in Bunbury in WA’s South West.

It will be the first Eagles match at Hands Oval since 1991.