Alec Waterman Biography

Essendon delists Brayden Ham, Alec Waterman and Cody Brand.

"We thank Cody, Brayden and Alec for their contribution to the club over their careers," Essendon's general manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said.

"These decisions are never easy but we commend the three players on their maturity and professionalism. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours."

Alec Waterman makes his AFL debut for Essendon at Docklands Stadium with 12 disposals (9 kicks and 3 handballs), 4 marks, 2 tackles and 2 goals in a 75-point win over St Kilda.

Alec Waterman signs a one-year deal with Essendon to be listed on the club’s Rookie A list for the 2021 season.

The 24-year-old was invited to train with the Bombers in February after being scouted from WAFL side Claremont, following a year in which he claimed the club’s best and fairest award as a medium forward in the Tigers’ run to the grand final.

Jake Waterman - the son of two-time West Coast premiership player Chris Waterman - is one of 81 players vying for the attention of recruiters at the NAB AFL Draft Combine ahead of next month's draft.

But weighing heavily on the 18-year-old's mind is the wretched fate of older brother Alec, who was delisted by West Coast last month after failing to crack into the senior side.

An inside midfielder who showed plenty of potential, Alec was taken by the Eagles as a father-son pick in 2014 but was struck down with glandular fever the following year and never managed to fully recover.

For Waterman, it was a reminder of the importance of not wasting his opportunity to become an AFL footballer.

"(Alec) has gone through a lot recently and it's been pretty sad and hard for the family to see him go down like that," he said.

"That's what was sort of going through my mind when it was all happening, just to not go through the motions and stuff like that and make sure I get the best out of myself, because it can end as quick as that."

Following the loss of their elimination final against the Bulldogs, the Eagles delist experienced duo Patrick McGinnity and Jamie Bennell as well as rookies Kane Lucas, Brant Colledge, Alec Waterman and Corey Adamson.

West Coast rookie Alec Waterman has been granted indefinite leave from the club as he battles ongoing problems with glandular fever

"We believe it is necessary to give Alec an extended absence so he can get back to full health," Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo said.

"Alec's health and wellbeing are paramount and we need to give him as much time as that takes.

"He has been frustrated at the lack of progress that has occurred despite the conservative approach to his recovery that was mapped out by our medical staff. Hopefully we will see Alec back to his effervescent self in the near future."

Alec Waterman is delisted by the Eagles but is set to be re-drafted by the Eagles as a rookie after a difficult first season blighted by his battle with glandular fever.

West Coast select Alec Waterman with pick No.76 in thee 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"Alec has been a bit of a bonus," Eagles recruiting manager Rohan O'Brien said.

"We thought during the year that the price we would have to pay for Alec may be a little bit more than what it was, albeit understanding it's hard for clubs to commit in the middle rounds of the draft so to get him where we did was terrific.

"We think he's played well on a wing, he's been very good through the midfield and being a young club, to get father-sons is terrific for the tradition and future."