Alec Waterman ready to step up
The recent de-listing of West Coast father-son recruit Jacob Brennan has made new Eagle and son of a gun Alec Waterman even more determined to grasp his opportunity at the elite level.
Waterman was unveiled in Eagles colours yesterday after rival clubs opted not to bid for his services during father-son meetings in Melbourne, allowing him to follow in the footsteps of his dual premiership-winning dad Chris.
West Coast can now use their lowest pick to secure the 18-year-old inside midfielder in next month's national draft.
It comes less than a week after Brennan, the club's first father-son selection, was cut after 28 matches in four seasons.
"Obviously mum and dad are close to the Brennans and it's a sad time," Waterman said.
"But you've got to make the most of your opportunities.
"If I get the opportunity, I'm just going to give it everything."
Waterman said it was a dream come true to be recruited by the club his dad served with distinction for 177 games, but believed they had little in common apart from big legs and a left-foot kick.
"He was more of a run-and-carry player off the half-back line and I don't really see myself as run and carry," he said.
"I like to see myself as an in-and-under player, just feeding the ball out - someone who can just body in and make a physical presence on the game."
The 183cm youngster is hopeful of earning an AFL call-up in his debut season, but knows there's plenty of hard work ahead.
Waterman revealed that some choice words from now Carlton director of coaching Rob Wiley a few years ago, when Wiley was working with the WA under-16 team, had given him impetus.
"I think at about 14 and 15 I started doing those extra sort of things to better my game," he said.
"But I don't think it came till about the end of the 16s carnival when I got a bit of a kick in the bum by Robbie Wiley. He said: 'Look, if you want it you are going to have to work harder'."
Proud father Chris said Alec had earned his chance.
"He's worked hard for it," he said. "Growing up with that shadow hanging over him, he's had to put up with a lot of sniggering and 'he only gets this because of his name or his old man'.
"So the fact he's been chosen on his merits is terrific for him."
Alec said he had felt the pressure of his father's history in the game.
"For as long as I can remember that's been sitting on my shoulders," he said. "Not just with footy but off the field as well.
"It's just a massive relief to know that I got picked for what I did and not what people said."
"… about the end of the 16s carnival … I got a bit of a kick in the bum by Robbie Wiley."" *Alec Waterman *
