Any fears Jaeger O’Meara would suffer from second-year blues were put to bed early this season, with last year’s AFL Rising Star winner showing he was on a mission to match his magnificent debut campaign.
While most youngsters are gifted with the opportunity to fly under the radar in their second year of playing senior football, O’Meara wasn’t so lucky.
The high-profile sophomore headed into 2014 with increased expectations, after taking the AFL by storm in his maiden year, where he finished third to Dion Prestia and superstar captain Gary Ablett in the 2013 Club Champion vote count.
Hell-bent on meeting the hype surrounding him, O’Meara added three kilos to his noticeably stronger frame. The move to bulk seemingly paid off, with the young midfield tyro bursting through congested packs with ease.
His ability to physically impose himself on the contests also shone through, with O’Meara taking out the club’s tackling title for a second consecutive year – with his total of 142 ranking amongst the best in the AFL (9th).
O’Meara’s overall output didn’t waver either.
The Ron Evans medal winner averaged 21 touches and four clearances per game, including a 30-possession, ten-tackle performance against Greater Western Sydney in round six at Metricon Stadium.
Amazingly, despite ongoing knee problems, O’Meara managed to play in all of the SUNS’ possible 22 matches; ensuring he maintained a perfect attendance record in his two years.
The league’s 18 senior coaches acknowledged his stand-out season by awarding him the Best Young Player at the AFL Coaches Association awards, with the Gold Coast dynamo edging out Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines and Jack Macrae from the Western Bulldogs.
The stats that matter
Senior matches: 22
Goals: 11
Disposals: 472 (21.5)
Marks: 77 (3.5)
Clearances: 96 (4.4)
Tackles: 142 (6.5)
Contested Possessions: 233 (10.6)
Inside-50s: 107 (4.9)
Rebounds: 29 (1.3)
What they said...
“Jaeger impacted games more than what he did last year; his attack on the ball was second to none.
He had a really consistent year and he hit the scoreboard pretty good – ranking as the best inside-50 kick for the team.
It (his season) was a really good springboard into what promises to be a pretty exciting career.” – Matthew Primus, Midfield Coach
Memorable moment
It didn’t take long for Jaeger to pick up where he left off from his sensational maiden campaign, collecting 22 touches and sticking a game-high ten tackles in a stirring round one performance against Richmond at Metricon Stadium.
But it was his brilliant opening goal that sent the crowd into a frenzy, with O’Meara turning on the jets to bulldoze his way past a Tiger opponent, before calming slotting the Sherrin through on an acute angle in the right pocket.
