Budding AFL fans from across the Gold Coast turned out in force for the 2014 AFL Gold Coast Junior Sign-On Day at Metricon Stadium. 

Local footy clubs came together for the blockbuster sign-on day, encouraging kids to lead an active and healthy lifestyle by taking up the weekend sport.

The Gold Coast SUNS made the morning all the more worthwhile, with every listed player rotating between footy clubs and the always-popular AFL playground. 

Popularity for Jaeger O’Meara continues to sky rocket at an unbelievable rate, the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star winner a noticeable fan favourite on Saturday.  

Growing up in the quiet country town of Dongara, Western Australia, O’Meara said annual junior sign-on days were among his favourite memories being a young footy player.

And through his fast-growing Jaeger’s Juniors program, the star  says he’s looking forward to growing the game on the Gold Coast, alongside his young fans in 2014. 

“It’s really exciting for them. I remember on my Junior Sign On Day it was really exciting because it meant footy was starting up and you go to start playing games of football and it was really enjoyable,” Jaeger O’Meara told NBN News. 

Rory Thompson and Andrew Boston also received plenty of attention from fans, the former Southport and Broadbeach products having graduated through the AFL Gold Coast juniors program. 

Boston, who maintains a strong affiliation with Broadbeach, told goldcoastfc.com.au it was pleasing to see his hometown embracing the game he loves most. 

It’s amazing, the game has grown so quickly over the last couple of years and we have the SUNS and AFL to thank for that,” Boston said.

“A couple of years ago you wouldn’t think of footy on the Gold Coast but is it expanding so quickly.”