IN a result that has surprised absolutely no-one, Gold Coast Sun Jaeger O’Meara has won this year’s NAB AFL Rising Star Award after a magnificent debut season in which he played all 22 games and averaged 21.6 disposals and kicked 16 goals.
O’Meara received a total of 44 out of a possible 45 votes to win the award over Adelaide’s Brad Crouch (31 votes), Port Adelaide’s Oliver Wines (26), North Melbourne’s Aaron Mullett (11) and Sydney Swans’ Tom Mitchell (11).
“Jaeger has impressed everyone involved at the Gold Coast Football Club since he arrived the club,” said Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna.
“For a player to come in to a senior side and do what he has been able to do this year is unique, to do it at a football club in our position, with so many inexperienced players is purely phenomenal.
“Each and every time Jaeger has taken the field he has played beyond his years. His teammates look up to him and lift for him that speaks volumes of his character and is a reflection of his hard work and professionalism.
“His attitude and intensity together, with his ability to crack in and win the contested footy and work both ways is fantastic and the exciting thing for all Gold Coast fans is that he will continue to improve the more he plays at this level.”
Final 2013 Voting
Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast) – 44
Brad Crouch (Adelaide) – 31
Oliver Wines (Port Adelaide) – 26
Aaron Mullett (North Melbourne) – 11
Tom Mitchell (Sydney Swans) – 11
Nick Vlastuin (RIchmond) – 7
Lachie Whitfield (GWS) – 3
Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) – 1
Sam Mayes (Brisbane Lions) – 1
2013 AFL Rising Star Weekly Award Winners
Week 1: Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide
Week 2: Aaron Mullett, North Melbourne
Week 3: Jed Anderson, Hawthorn
Week 4: George Horlin-Smith, Geelong
Week 5: Jaeger O’Meara, Gold Coast Suns
Week 6: Bradley Hill, Hawthorn
Week 7: Nick Vlastuin, Richmond
Week 8: Jackson Macrae, Western Bulldogs
Week 9: Sam Kerridge, Adelaide
Week 10: Lachie Whitfield, GWS Giants
Week 11: Tom Mitchell, Sydney Swans
Week 12: Sam Mayes, Brisbane Lions
Week 13: Jake Neade, Port Adelaide
Week 14: Brad Crouch, Adelaide
Week 15: Michael Talia, Western Bulldogs
Week 16: Tom Nicholls, Gold Coast Suns
Week 17: Adam Tomlinson, GWS Giants
Week 18: Marley Williams, Collingwood
Week 19: Zac Williams, GWS Giants
Week 20: Rory Laird, Adelaide
Week 21: Jack Viney, Melbourne
Week 22: Brodie Grundy, Collingwood
Week 23: Luke Brown, Adelaide
Image appears with permission by Jack McClane (Exclamat!on Photography). All rights reserved.