Jake Waterman may face an extended period on the sidelines following a dislocated shoulder sustained during West Coast’s disappointing 128-62 defeat to Adelaide. The 27-year-old forward was injured in a congested contest, instantly reaching for his shoulder before being assisted off the field by medical personnel.
Commentator Dwayne Russell confirmed that Waterman’s shoulder was still dislocated during the broadcast on Fox Footy. Former AFL player Mark Ricciuto expressed his sympathy, noting the visible distress Waterman was in and describing the deep breaths he was taking to manage the pain.
After the injury, Waterman received medical attention to have his shoulder relocated and will undergo scans to assess the extent of any structural damage. This misfortune marks another setback for Waterman, who had already missed a significant portion of the 2023 season due to illness but managed to bounce back strong enough to be included in the All-Australian squad last year.
Waterman’s injury adds to the woes of the West Coast Eagles, who suffered a significant defeat at the Adelaide Oval. The match saw Josh Rachele shine for the Crows, scoring five goals, while six of his teammates recorded over 20 disposals, highlighting their dominance throughout the game. With this victory, Adelaide solidified their position in the top four of the AFL ladder, while West Coast continues to struggle at the bottom, seeking to turn their fortunes around.