Jaeger O’Meara has become the first Gold Coast player to win the Ron Evans Medal, topping the voting at the NAB AFL Rising Star award ceremony in Melbourne.

O’Meara claimed the award after an outstanding debut season in which he played all 22 games for the GC SUNS.

"It's a huge honour," O’Meara told goldcoastfc.com.au

"It’s extremely humbling, it’s not something that you set out to achieve, but when you look around the room, and see the quality of the other nominees, it’s a bit overwhelming."

O’Meara arrived at the GC SUNS in 2011 via the Greater Western Sydney 17-year-old mini-draft, where he was selection number one. In 2012 he played for the Suns’ reserves side in the NEAFL. He was originally recruited from Dongara, which is south of Geraldton in Western Australia.

An outstanding junior player, O’Meara was an Under-18 All-Australian in 2011 and was a member of the AIS-AFL Academy squad.

O’Meara lived up to the hype in his first AFL season, averaging 22 disposals and kicking 16 goals.

“I’ve really enjoyed the year, it had been a big build up, but I’ve loved the challenge and like the team, I’m looking forward to improving again next year,” O’Meara said.

As well as being awarded the Ron Evans Medal, O’Meara pockets a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.

Jaeger O'Meara will be at Burleigh Headland tomorrow at 3pm. Come grab a signature and see Jaeger after his Rising Star Win!