‘Sick in the guts’: Waterman rues missed opportunities in Eagles’ loss

Waterman is confident it was just a blip and is keen for his next opportunity.

“I just have to go back to the workshop. Get out and train and get out on the grass and just keep getting after them,” he said.

“If I’m getting four or five shots every week you can almost pencil me in for three on a good day.

“Unfortunately on the weekend I didn’t strike them as well as I would like but give me more chance like that and I’ll put them through more often than not.”

West Coast are still searching for their first four points of the season, and the loss may burn for a while.

“I was pretty shattered as all the West Coast fans would have been,” Waterman said.

“I’m always devastated when we lose games but I’m usually pretty level-headed … but that one hung around a little bit longer and is still sitting pretty nastily in my guts”

Waterman admitted the side lacked composure in the final quarter but can’t believe the criticism has been directed at first-year player Tom Gross, who was run down in a tackle as the Eagles were going inside 50 late in the game.

“This kid came on halfway through the last quarter and got his hand on the ball more times than most blokes in the last quarter,” he said.

“I don’t know how you can blame that kid. The game is full of moments like that and unfortunately his moment came at the penultimate time, and I’m sure he’s very flat, but he’s one of the bravest kids going around.”

Waterman enjoyed the passion of Andrew McQualter in the coaches’ box when moments didn’t go their way in the final term and says there would be plenty of fans feeling the same frustration.

The side is desperate to get their coach his first win as Eagles boss.

The Eagles’ next opportunity comes against the Saints on Sunday afternoon at Optus Stadium.

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