The West Australian was a near unanimous pick for the NAB Rising Star Award last year, but he isn’t resting on his laurels ahead of the 2014 premiership season.
“I’ve just tried to give myself the best opportunity to get to the next level and really improve on last year,” O’Meara said.
“I think I have done the hard work over the pre-season which could allow me to do that, so hopefully I can play some good footy and good team footy.”
The 19-year-old averaged 22 disposals and five tackles per match alongside Gary Ablett and Dion Prestia in the midfield last year.
He showed he could be equally as damaging in attack, booting 16 goals in his 22 games.
Along with the NAB Rising Star Award, he was also voted by his peers as the AFLPA’s best first-year player.
Although humbled with the individual accolades that came his way last season, O’Meara is adamant his only ambitions of silverware this year come in the form of team success; and that means premiership points.
“It is going to be a massive challenge but I think we are ready for it. We need to take the next step up,” O’Meara said.
“(Last year) a lot of teams were between that 6-12 bracket, fighting for a spot in the finals.
“We know it’s going to be hard but hopefully we can let our footy do the talking.”
The chiselled midfielder is confident his side can get the ball rolling with a win over Richmond, with the SUNS set to host the Tigers at Metricon Stadium this Saturday.
“Richmond are a great side and will be a fantastic test for us,” he said.
“It’s been 2-1 (in previous head-to-heads) so we’ve got the upper hand on them, but it’s going to be a tough game.
“But if we stick to what we’ve done over the pre-season, hopefully we can get over the line.”
