Western Australia has finalised its squad for this month’s Origin spectacular, with five extra players added — but one dual premiership defender withdrawn.
The AFL on Tuesday confirmed Eagles All-Australian Jake Waterman had been included in WA’s 25-man squad. It means Waterman will follow in the footsteps of his father Chris Waterman, who represented WA in early-90s state footy matches.
Watch The 2026 AAMI AFL Origin match LIVE on Kayo Sports | WA vs VIC Saturday 14 FEB from 7PM AEDT | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
“It’s an absolute honour to be picked to wear the Black Swan alongside a team of West Australians I admire immensely,” Waterman said.
“I have been fortunate enough to represent WA many times throughout my junior days, so to be able to put the iconic black and gold jumper on again means the world to my family and I.”
The Eagles star is joined in the squad by triple premiership Tiger Nathan Broad and Bulldogs All-Australian Tim English, as well as experienced midfield duo Stephen Coniglio (Giants) and Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle). English will play alongside fellow rucks Darcy Cameron (Collingwood) and Luke Jackson (Fremantle).
WA, though, will be without West Coast recruit Brandon Starcevich, who was withdrawn from the squad after Eagles deemed him unavailable to “play the required amount of game time for the AAMI AFL Origin match”, per the AFL.
Starcevich, who moved to the Eagles one month after claiming his second flag with the Brisbane Lions, has been restricted at West Coast training in recent weeks due to a minor ACL strain.
Meanwhile, Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron is in growing doubt to line up for next Saturday’s marquee State of Origin match between Victoria and Western Ausralia, as he continues to recover from the injury he sustained in the 2025 Grand Final.
Per multiple reports, the reigning Coleman Medallist is yet to return to a full training load after breaking his arm in the Cats’ 47-point loss to Brisbane in late September last year.
Seven’s Mitch Cleary reported on Monday night that the key forward continues to train with a fluoro cap for his club of five seasons, less than two weeks out from the clash at Optus Stadium.
“His right arm heavily strapped and he’s wearing a fluoro cap to signify no contact from teammates (at training),” Cleary said.
“He’s still building confidence in the injury, 12 days out from Origin.”
At this stage, it appears increasingly unlikely Cameron will line up alongside fellow Geelong teammates Max Holmes, Tom Stewart and Patrick Dangerfield for Victoria.
The 32-year-old kicked a whopping 83 goals during the Cats’ home-and-away season, which at one stage saw him an unlikely, but live, chance of reaching triple digits — a feat not achieved since 2008 by AFL legend Lance Franklin for Hawthorn.
Cleary also reported that North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri was set to be named for Victoria in the coming days, leaving all 18 AFL clubs represented in the first State of Origin clash held outside of anniversary or exhibition events this century.
Victoria is expected to finalise its squads later this week.
Discussion about this post