“Trying to break into a premiership team,like,we just came off winning the flag[in season six],that’s tough,” they said.
“You either want to be the small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. But I’m really happy with being just the small fish at the moment in a big team and just learning what I can,” adding they found more of their feet this year.
Waterhouse said there are still soccer traits in the way they play,including naturally preferring to use their feet,and learning to mark and not instinctively going to head the ball also took some time.
“I kick the ball of the ground a fair bit to try and get me out of trouble,[it’s] kind of second nature,” they said.
“And being able to kick with both my feet,playing as a centre midfielder for soccer,you had to be able to use both feet,so it’s transferable and then 360[degree] game awareness,I think I do really well. Being able to read the play.”
However,they enjoy the physicality of AFL. “I was pretty physical in soccer. So I’m glad now that I’m actually able to tackle – properly tackle,” they said.
While it’s Waterhouse’s footy skills and crafty goals that have gotten them acclaim in AFLW circles,it would be amiss not to mention the hair.
They always had a long blonde straight look,but a gentle nudge from their wife had them trying – and now rocking – a mullet.
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“She was like,that doesn’t really suit your persona,your androgynous type of like vibe. All you’re doing is just putting it up in a bun,” they said.
“I was really looking nervous about maybe what people would say[of the mullet] and that shock reaction of people going ‘Oh my god,you had a haircut’ or something. But it’s who I am now and I love it. It’s like my staple piece.”
That style will be on full display at Ikon Park on Sunday as Waterhouse plays in their first preliminary final when Adelaide clash with North Melbourne.
Intimidatingly for the Kangaroos,Waterhouse said the Crows are peaking at the right time,especially after their four-quarter effort resulting in a 67-point thrashing of the Swans,but they are expecting a close encounter against North.
“Hopefully,we can just build on that again this week,” said Waterhouse.
“North Melbourne’s team though,they almost had us when we played them not too long ago[the Crows claimed a three-point victory against them in round nine].
“And the stat sheet pretty much read that they should have won ... So yeah,it’s going to be a tough contest.”
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