He was drafted by West Coast with their final selection and seventy-seventh overall in the 2016 national draft as a father-son selection.[1] He made his debut in the twenty-nine point loss to Sydney at Optus Stadium in the opening round of the 2018 season.[2] In round 6, 2018, Waterman was nominated for the AFL Rising Star after recording fourteen disposals, five marks and two goals in the eight point win against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.[3]
2024
Jake Waterman is also the brother of former Essendon forward Alec Waterman. Waterman kicked a career-high six goals in round five of the 2024 AFL season against Richmond at Optus.[4] He was again impressive the next week in Western Derby 58 kicking five goals.[5] He also kicked 5 goals in round 10 during West Coast's 35-point win over the Melbourne Demons.[6] Waterman finished the season as West Coast's leading goalkicker, having kicked 53 goals across 20 games, as well as a fifth place finish in the Coleman Medal.[7] For his performance throughout the season he earnt a spot in the 2024 All-Australian team, and a 3rd place finish in the West Coast Eagles Best & Fairest count.
Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of round 8, 2022[8]
^The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.