JUST days after signing a long-term contract extension on the Gold Coast, gun youngster Jaeger O’Meara celebrated alongside his teammates their emphatic triumph over the Magpies – and he’s hoping they’ll be plenty more opportunities to bask in the glory in years to come.
“The win showed why I re-signed and I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
The teenager gathered 23 possessions, seven marks, three goals and equal game-high eight tackles was instrumental in helping the Gold Coasters get the much-needed win.
“That was the best win I’ve been involved with at the club,” said O’Meara.
“We showed some really good signs, it was hard work but we got the four points which is the most important thing.”
Despite having played fifteen AFL premiership matches alongside the superstar skipper, the 19-year-old midfielder said he still found himself in awe of Gary Ablett’s fundamental brilliance.
“When Gary goes ahead and gets close to 50 touches like that you grow legs and secure the points.”
“He’s simply unstoppable.”
With Pie’s star midfielders Scott Pendlebury’s 28 touches and Dane Swan’s 32 disposals failing to hurt the Gold Coast around the stoppages, O’Meara praised the defensive efforts of Danny Stanley and Dion Prestia.
“They were a great team and have an elite midfield class,” he said.
“We had a couple of guys do some great jobs on some of their star players including Danny Stanley and Dion Prestia.”
“Their hard work certainly set us up to be competitive and ultimately win the match.”
O’Meara said the team was concentrating on finishing off the season and a positive note.
“With Collingwood being a genuine premiership contender the win certainly gives us a boost of confidence.
“We have a pretty good draw at the end of the year so hopefully we can get a few more wins and build towards a strong finish.”