AFL Origin: West Coast’s Jake Waterman wants to play in practice game against Fremantle after starring for WA

West Coast forward Jake Waterman wants to back up in Saturday’s practice match against Fremantle after starring in an emotional State of Origin debut at the weekend. Waterman kicked two goals and was a favourite son of the more than 58,000 fans at Optus Stadium in WA’s four-goal defeat to Victoria. It was the spearhead’s first competitive match since round 11 last season, when he injured his shoulder against Adelaide and was ruled out for the rest of the season. But the forward revealed post-match he pulled up well and hopes to ramp up his build towards the season against Fremantle in a match simulation in Cockburn on Saturday. The Eagles then face Port Adelaide in their official pre-season match at Mineral Resources Park on March 1. It is expected most State of Origin players will be managed across the rest of the pre-season. “I’m hoping so, I don’t know how many minutes I played but I felt good out there,” Waterman told The West Australian. “We’ve got a couple of scratchies coming up and then we’re pretty much into it for round one. “I’ll keep building, this whole pre-season for me has been a gradual build. “I think I was OK tonight, so to be able to perform on the big stage is something I will take with me and take a lot of confidence from, but come Monday it’s back to club land and I’m all focused on West Coast and what we’re doing to go forward.” Waterman concedes he could have had a day out if not for a pair of behinds, but his eight marks and work crashing packs and helping retain the ball inside WA’s forward-50 were just as impressive. “It was good, I was feeling myself there for a little bit,” he said. “It was good to be back out playing footy and it’s been so long it probably took me a quarter or so to read the game because it was so quick and then I got into the game, got into some good areas. I missed a couple of easy ones late which is annoying but all-in-all I think it was a great day for footy. “It’s almost laughable that my first game back is State of Origin, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. You can’t get much tougher than that.” Liam Baker — the only other Eagle in the game — was left exhausted after the match, which he finished on the bench after pulling up with cramp. Waterman’s Origin debut followed in the footsteps of his famous father Chris, who captained the State in its previous match against South Australia in 1998. “His message all week was just soak it up,” Jake said. “He reminisces about the old days so much and he cherishes it. He gets pretty riled up when he talks about and some of his best memories are playing State footy. “It’s special for him that I’m doing that as well. It’s something we’ll both cherish, and my family and friends as well.” Get a FREE WA AAMI AFL Origin Guernsey worth RRP $130 when you sign up for a 12-month subscription to thewest.com.au Subscribe now from just $6 per week. T&Cs apply, limited time only. https://www.thewest.com.au/footypack