Jaeger O’Meara is set to make his official AFL debut in the Gold Coast SUNS season opener against St. Kilda on Saturday 30 March at Metricon Stadium and will enter the match with greater confidence after a strong performance against the Sydney Swans in Blacktown last Saturday night.

The 19-year-old, who spent 2012 gaining NEAFL experience with the GC SUNS reserves squad due to AFL age restrictions, showed excellent touch in the side’s loss to the Swans gathering 24 possessions and was among the SUNS best-on-ground performers.

Despite allowing some early opportunities at goal slip away in the opening term, GC SUNS senior coach Guy McKenna believed O’Meara would benefit from having competed against the reigning AFL premiership heavyweights which included the likes of Kieren Jack, Lewis Jetta and Josh Kennedy.

“There were two occasions where he broke the line and looked dangerous” said McKenna.

“We need to remember he’s only played two minutes of AFL footy so we need to  cut him some slack… he’ll continue to work on his game and continue to go after the hard pill and that’s the beauty of him.”

With skipper Gary Ablett, Karmichael Hunt and Jarrod Harbrow rested against the reigning AFL premiers, McKenna said GC SUNS members and fans could expect to see the star trio return to senior football this week for the side’s NAB Cup Challenge against the Melbourne Demons at the Southport Sharks this Saturday.

“There were a some boys that needed a spell like Gary (Ablett), Karmichael (Hunt),  and Jarrod (Harbrow) but being our last hit-out I’d think we’d get close to picking our best side that’s going to start the season for us,” McKenna said.

The GC SUNS will take on Melbourne in a NAB Cup Challenge at Southport Sharks this Saturday, with the opening bounce at 11:30am.

All GC SUNS and Melbourne members will receive access to the NAB Cup match upon presenting their 2013 membership card at the gate. General admission will also be available to the practise matches with adults/concessions at $5 and juniors under 15 free of charge.