The 19-year-old midfielder was taken with selection 2 in the 2011 GWS mini-draft behind O’Meara.
But despite his best game as a Crow, picking up a career-high 31 disposals, covering 163 metres and a game-high six tackles which saw him awarded with an AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 14, Crouch said the prestigious award at season’s end had all but been secured by O’Meara – with the exciting youngster still in awe of the O’Meara’s 32 touches wherehe gained 557 metres for the SUNS and team-high seven clearances.
"It was good playing against Jaeger and I reckon he'll be the one to take out the Rising Star this year, but I'm proud to get this week's nomination."
In 13 AFL appearances, O'Meara has averaged almost 23 disposals. In his past two games he has amassed career-best totals of 30 touches against Essendon and 32 against Adelaide.
O’Meara has polled votes in the AFL Coaches' Association award on six occasions in 2013, and picked up six votes by the coaches in last Saturday’s match, Crouch received 1 vote for his efforts.
