WEST Coast is expected to nominate Alec Waterman as a father-son selection as next week's AFL deadline approaches.
It is understood the club is likely to lodge paperwork which will entitle it to priority access over the son of dual Eagles premiership player Chris.
But the Eagles are likely to wait until the October 6 bidding meeting before deciding what selection they would be prepared to forfeit to recruit the midfielder if another club places a bid.
The Eagles can choose not to match a rival's bid, which would see him go to another club. But if there are no bids the Eagles must take him with their last live pick at November's NAB AFL Draft.
The Eagles hold pick No.10 at the draft and their second-round pick is selection No.30.
A hard-working on-baller who accumulates possessions, Waterman played five games for Western Australia at the mid-year NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Listed at 182cm and 88kg, he produced a standout performance in the second round of the championships when he gathered 35 touches against Vic Metro.
His season ended last Sunday in the WAFL colts Grand Final, when Waterman gathered 22 disposals in Claremont's defeat.
His father, Chris Waterman, enjoyed a terrific career for the Eagles between 1988-98, including the club's 1992 and 1994 flags.
There are expected to be as many as 10 players taken at this year's father-son and academy bidding meeting, with Darcy Moore (Collingwood), Billy Stretch (Melbourne) and Josh Clayton (Brisbane Lions) among the likely father-son picks.
Academy prospect Isaac Heeney will cost the Sydney Swans their first pick, while Liam Dawson (Brisbane Lions) and Jack Steele (Greater Western Sydney) are also expected to be nominated by their respective clubs.
Clubs need to lodge their nominations with the AFL by next Friday, the final day of the NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium.
