I think he should attend some stoppages and then move forward.
I saw enough in the VFL of both clearance craft, crashing packs and standing up and disposing to advantage in tackles to think he has what to offer.
I’m sure the tank isn’t there for full time gig yet, but there is something to work with.
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His draft profile is below. Was a highly rated inside midfielder. Pre-CFC he was slow, but based on disposal numbers his work rate must have been very good. And we know he’s a powerful kick.
Would be fantastic (and hysterically funny) if he recaptured that form at AFL level.
A big bodied inside-leaning midfielder, Waterman’s championships began well with a 24-disposal game against South Australia followed by a 35-disposal, 10-clearance game against Vic Metro, an exceptional performance ever further highlighted by his 17 contested possessions and disposal efficiency of 83 per cent. Following the first two games, his form dropped, averaging only 13 touches over his next three games, hampered by a groin problem through the back end of the championships.
At WAFL Colts level, he has excelled, averaging over 28 disposals and five marks per game. He has also shown remarkable consistency over the WAFL season, with his worst game still resulting in 23 disposals and five marks. It is rumoured that Alec has already committed to West Coast and has put the cue in the rack for the rest of the season, which would explain why a player of his talent is playing colts. This is further backed up by the allegation he set his price per game high enough for Claremont to believe it would be financially irresponsible to play him in league matches.
One of the most gifted inside players of the crop, Waterman excels in close. With a very wide frame and big body, Waterman is able to bullock through and win the hard ball. His core strength is elite; when he decides he wants to be somewhere, he is able to straight line to that point irrespective of the physical pressure and contact applied. In traffic he is able to root his legs into the ground and put his head over the ball without fear of being buffeted off his path. He has sticky hands and a good first touch, with his pickups and gathers normally clean.
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it was also 12 months on from a finals birth, which in and of itself all round sums up the club. where’s the video of the italian guy going sometimes ■■■■ sometimes good.
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He does need to work on getting AFL fit, but given he did not have the AFL pre season then that should come next year.
While Stringer is out i think he is well suited to the Stringer role of taking the center bounce and then moving forward.
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BRING
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Why wouldn’t you give him a crack at some midfield minutes, no better opportunity than this year to find out.
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Not sure how useful a guide that profile is though - if you’re an 89kg inside midfielder at u18 level, it’s not exactly a surprise when you’re able to bull through packs. For comparison, that’s 12kg heavier than Parish was at the same age, at basically the identical height.
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Let’s not also forget that he suffered from glandular fever followed up by fatigue for nearly 3 years. Even he admits that he may need to be managed in order to run out games, even to the point of being rested at times. His fitness ceiling is unknown at this point
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That’s it, no one is expecting him to run 15km, all we are asking is for him to attend 4 or 5 ctr bounces and drop Cunnington on his a** at every opportunity.
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Look HM, next you’ll be bringing up that he’s had CFC!
Keep your facts away you demon!!!
He played midfield time in the VFL on the weekend and seemed to go well. Did anyone watch, if so what did you think?
I would have thought he’s a forward when it fits - occasionally - this year, and if they keep him they might hope he can get his tank up next year enough to try some mid time.
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Only saw the second half on tv but thought he was impressive. I’d love to see him in this week to replace Smith.
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Is that Nino?
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It’s all fitness and time for this guy.
I don’t think midfield at AFL level is possible this year and until he can prove to himself he can do the work without going down hill again.
But if we can persist and get there we have an inside bull on our hands.
Not to rain on people’s BBM parade, but the issue from his under age / draft highlights was his poor disposal by hand & foot after he got the ball.
Now this may have improved.
On the other hand it may trigger certain posters to an unacceptable extent.
“He’s big!
He’s got the ball!
Why do our mids keep missing targets?”
Doubt that an issue now. His foot skills are excellent and as seen in fwd line can get handballs out under physical heat and/or creatively
The issue primarily will be fitness. We can only use Stringer in midfield there in bursts and he’d have significantly bigger tank than Waterman
But clearly they want to improve that and are using him in midfield VFL wise last weekend. In the Ambrose 6 goal highlights he roved the ball off ruck brilliantly and hit up leading Ambrose. Was a thing of beauty.
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he’ll get a game this week i reckon
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Would be a certainty against the Eagles the following week.
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