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White-hot Waterman dominates in defeat

If Alec Waterman still had any boxes to fill at West Coast, consider them ticked.

The son of dual premiership player Chris Waterman is eligible as a father-son draft pick this year and emphasised his potential with a stunning performance for WA in their 87-point loss to Vic Metro in the under-18 championships at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.

Playing primarily as an inside midfielder, Waterman amassed 35 possessions, 17 of them contested, and 10 clearances to help his side gain control of the stoppages.

The 18-year-old Claremont midfielder is predicted to go in the second round of the national draft, and AIS-AFL development manager Michael Ablett said he loomed as a solid pick for the Eagles.

"He just finds the footy," Ablett said. "I think sometimes we can overlook players because they might not be the most athletic types going around, but if you can find the footy it's hard to argue against them.

"He certainly does. He works hard and I think he's been impressive in his first two games."

Waterman was one of few winners on a dark day for WA, who were belted by Vic Metro 15.20 (110) to 2.11 (23).

Fellow Claremont midfielder Jared Hardisty (26 disposals and six clearances) and East Perth utility player Tyler Keitel (19 touches and nine marks) were others to catch the eye for WA.

The visitors were challenged in the first half, but lifted in the second, taking control of the inside-50 count despite losing the stoppage battle.

Vic Metro midfielder Christian Petracca overcame a quiet first half to have a huge influence in the win.

"Good character shines through," Ablett said.

"He was a basketballer, very, very talented, and he was the last one cut out of the Australian squad

"He's got a lot of Stevie Johnson-type attributes if you look at his shape, his power, his ability to move laterally, he can do some special things.

"He dropped seven kilos. A little bit was dropped through work rate, then he got crook and dropped a heap more and he's kept it off and he's very, very proud of that."

WA face South Australia, who beat them convincingly late last month, at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.