“What is going on?”: Cornes stunned by Eagle's mammoth contract renegotiation

Kane Cornes cannot believe West Coast has renegotiated Jake Waterman’s contract, paying him reportedly close to $1 million a season over the next five years.

The West Australian is reporting that the Eagles and the key forward have come to terms, ripping up the existing two-year extension he had in place.

Waterman was one of the most improved players in the competition in 2024, kicking 53 goals across 20 games and making the All-Australian squad.

“He just signed a contract extension basically. He was in contract. There was no need whatsoever for West Coast to restructure his contract and pay this guy $1 million a year for five years,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.

“Yes, he has had one good year, but I’m telling you West Coast have been pretty supportive of Waterman who had hardly played for two years and was nowhere near this version as a player.

“I’m telling you, I’m a Waterman fan. I’m 1A on the Waterman fan (plane). I thought he was so deserving of All-Australian squad.

“But he’s not deserving of a contract extension at $1 million a season when they didn’t have to do anything.

“Why is everyone so nice? You were happy to sign the original contract. If you thought you were going to have a breakout year, sign a one-year contract.

“You watch Essendon do it. You watch Essendon get sucked in to re-negotiating with Zach Merrett who signed a six-year deal not long ago and just because the Saints have offered him a big cheque, he wants to renegotiate.

“Essendon will be really nice and pay him an extra $400,000 because they’re feeling charitable. Ridiculous. What is going on?”

David King wonders if the Eagles have overpaid on a one-year sample size.

“Will Waterman have that year again? It was such a big year. If they’re paying him on that year, it will be poor value in my opinion,” King said.

“He’s not a $1 million player.

“Harley Reid is watching that thinking ‘if he’s worth $1 million, what am I worth?’”

Waterman has played 104 career games for the Eagles and will helm the forward line alongside Oscar Allen for the foreseeable future.