The super talented19-year-old could hardly contain his excitement after being told by Coach Guy McKenna that he would be playing under the lights at Metricon Stadium this weekend.
“Definitely very excited – I’ve been here for 12 months now and it’s been a long time coming so I’m definitely excited to get out and play a bit of footy with the boys and hopefully we get the win,” O’Meara said.
Experienced recruits Tom Murphy and Greg Broughton will also make their debuts with the GC SUNS, while promising tall defender Rory Thompson will likely be given one of the GC SUNS biggest defensive assignments and challenged with shutting down the Saints Nick Riewoldt.
Thompson’s selection was a mere formality following a series of solid individual performances against Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Sam Reid (Sydney) and Jack Watts (Melbourne) throughout the NAB Cup tournament.
Joel Wilkinson’s superb pre-season campaign has also been rewarded with a first team call up, the athletic defender looking to use the Round one opportunity to secure his place in the GC SUNS top twenty two.
Rising AFL star Harley Bennell also returns to the starting side after being rested during the SUNS 25-point win final NAB Challenge match against Melbourne.
ROUND 1 AFL Premiership Senior Team
B: J. Wilkinson, M. Warnock, T. Murphy
HB: D. Prestia, R. Thompson, G. Broughton
C: M. Shaw, G. Ablett, J. Harbrow
HF: H. Bennell, C. Dixon, B. Matera
F: L. Russell, S. Day, S. May
R: Z. Smith, K. Hunt, D. Swallow
INT: A. Hall, J. O’Meara, J. Brennan, M. Rischitelli
EMERGENCIES: K. Horsley, M. Weller, J. Hutchins
