There aren’t many AFL players who can say a chronic illness unlocked their best football, but Jake Waterman has a case — diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2023, the West Coast Eagles key forward returned to an All-Australian-standard 2024 before a round 11 shoulder injury ended his 2025 campaign, per the West Coast Eagles (official team site). Here’s what’s confirmed, what’s still unclear, and what his contract and family legacy mean for the next phase of his career.

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Current team: West Coast Eagles · Position: Key forward · AFL debut: 2017 · Career goals: 160+ · Height: 191 cm · Father: Chris Waterman (former West Coast player)

1

Player Info

  • Full name: Jake Waterman
  • Team: West Coast Eagles
  • Debut: 2017
  • Height: 191 cm
  • Position: Key forward
2

Personal Life

  • Father: Chris Waterman (former AFL player)
  • Health: Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
  • Children: Not publicly known
3

AFL Career

  • Games played: 90+
  • Career goals: 160+
  • Grand Final appearance: 2018
4

Recent News

  • 2025: Shoulder injury ended his season
  • 2024: Signed contract extension
  • 2025: Backed co-captain Oscar Allen

What autoimmune disease does Jake Waterman have?

Jake Waterman has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. He was diagnosed in 2023 after a period of unexplained symptoms, and treatment allowed him to return to the field.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine and rectum. It can cause fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain, but with proper treatment many athletes return to elite sport.

The paradox

The same illness that could have ended Waterman’s career also reshaped his approach to the game. He has spoken openly about how the diagnosis changed his mindset, making him more grateful for every training session and match.

What it means for his career: Waterman’s public diagnosis helped raise awareness and gave him a platform. It also explained why his 2022 season had stalled, and why his return to fitness in 2024 felt so significant.

What happened to Jake Waterman in 2025?

Waterman had started the 2025 season strongly before injuring his shoulder in round 11. The injury required surgery, and the club ruled him out for the remainder of the year.

Reality check: A shoulder injury is far less concerning than the illness Waterman has already overcome. The 2025 setback is frustrating, but it does not threaten his long-term playing future.

Before the injury, Waterman had been one of West Coast’s most important forward-half contributors. He had also publicly backed co-captain Oscar Allen during a difficult start to the season, showing the leadership that has made him a respected figure in the locker room.

Bottom line: Waterman’s 2025 ended early because of a shoulder injury, but his return to health will determine whether West Coast’s forward line gets its full-season target back.

How much does Jake Waterman make a year?

Exact contract figures are not published by the club, but Waterman signed a contract extension in 2024. The deal is understood to be a multi-year agreement that rewards his improved output and leadership.

Because the AFL salary cap is not public, Waterman’s exact salary is unknown. However, as a developing key forward who has played 90-plus games, he would be earning a solid, mid-tier wage rather than a marquee salary.

Is Jake Waterman the son of Chris Waterman?

Yes. Jake is the son of Chris Waterman, who played for West Coast and Brisbane in the 1990s. Jake grew up around AFL clubs and was recruited to West Coast as a father-son pick.

Chris Waterman played more than 100 games and was a respected clubman. Jake has often said his father’s career gave him an insight into the demands of professional football.

Where is Jake Waterman from?

Waterman was born in Perth, Western Australia, and played junior football at the Perth Demons in the WAFL. He was selected by West Coast with a father-son bid in the 2014 national draft.

His rise through the under-age system was delayed by illness and injury, but his resilience has become a defining feature of his football.

Key facts and figures

The numbers below sketch the outline of Waterman’s career.

Category Detail
Full name Jake Waterman
Club West Coast Eagles
Position Key forward
AFL debut 2017
Draft selection 2014 father-son
Father Chris Waterman
Illness Ulcerative colitis (2023)
2025 injury Shoulder (round 11)

These facts confirm that Waterman’s career has been defined by resilience as much as performance.

Additional sources

westcoasteagles.com.au, en.wikipedia.org, westcoasteagles.com.au, footywire.com, abc.net.au, thewest.com.au, thewest.com.au, espn.com, foxsports.com.au, thewest.com.au, statscrew.com, espn.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

Here are the answers to the most common questions about Jake Waterman.

What autoimmune disease does Jake Waterman have?

Jake Waterman has ulcerative colitis.

How long has Jake Waterman been playing for West Coast?

He has been at West Coast since the 2015 season and made his AFL debut in 2017.

Who is Jake Waterman’s father?

His father is Chris Waterman, a former West Coast and Brisbane player.

Did Jake Waterman win a premiership?

No, he has not yet won a senior AFL premiership.

What position does Jake Waterman play?

He plays as a key forward, with occasional stints in the ruck.

How tall is Jake Waterman?

He is 191 cm tall.

Related reading

Want more West Coast Eagles coverage? Check out our other pieces on the club’s rebuild, key players, and injury updates.

Waterman’s story is not finished. If his recovery from shoulder surgery goes to plan, he can still be part of West Coast’s next finals push.

His willingness to speak openly about ulcerative colitis has made him a role model beyond football, and his leadership in a young West Coast side will be just as important as his goals when he returns.