AWARD-winning AFL scribe Damien Barrett has issued an ominous warning to AFL challengers, declaring the Gold Coasters are a team to fear for years to come.

“They got their win tally up to eight this year, and that’s a really good result for this football club,” Barrett said.

“It sets them up – watch them come in years to come.”

Despite Zac Smith (ACL), Brandon Matera (ankle), Tom Lynch (knee) and Karmichael Hunt (hamstring) missing a chunk of the season through injury, Guy McKenna’s playing group achieved significant success in their third Premiership campaign.

Media personality Luke Darcy said the brilliance of Jaeger O’Meara had him eager to see more of the young gun in 2014.

“Jaeger O’Meara will be one of the stars of the game. He had a brilliant debut year, has a rock star name and plays the game with great style,” he said.

“… He wins the ball inside and runs hard, and it’s nice to see him learning alongside one of the best midfielders in the history of the game in Gary Ablett Jr.”

A great local find, Darcy says Rory Thompson is an key defender and someone to build around in defence. 

“I love Rory Thompson – I think they found a 10-year defender,” Darcy said.

“He’s a Southport boy so to get one out of their zone areas who’s that good is a fantastic result.”

For Barrett, it was Dion Prestia who showed signs he had all the makings to graduate into the competition’s star class of midfielders next year.

“We were told he had a fantastic game and we saw it this year... He’s got a trick bag for a guy who looks like he’s just going to play that nuggety, bustling role,” he said.

It’s going to be an exciting midfield with Ablett, Jaeger O’Meara and Prestia all coming through.”