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Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara, 18, is having a hernia operation this week. Picture: Adam Head. Source: The Courier-Mail
GOLD Coast young gun Jaeger O'Meara is confident a hernia operation this week will not stop him from exploding on to the AFL scene in 2013.
The 18-year-old expects to be up and running by the second week of the Suns' pre-season training camp in the US.
The Suns leave for the high-altitude location of Flagstaff, Arizona, on Sunday but the high expectations around O'Meara will remain long after the squad returns to sea level next month.
The WA star was recruited by the Suns at the mini-draft during last year's trade period but was not eligible to play senior football this year.
The midfielder got a taste of top-level football in NAB Cup pre-season matches after receiving special dispensation from the AFL before dropping back to the NEAFL, where his campaign was cut short by groin injuries.
O'Meara was a stand-out junior with his pace, endurance, skill and football instincts attracting the attention of AFL scouts across the country.
If he had not been taken in last year's mini-draft, there was every chance he would have been the No.1 pick in next month's national draft.
The only No.1 he is concerned about now is the opening round of the premiership, when the Suns host St Kilda.
"It was a bit bittersweet last year. I realised my dream of getting to an AFL club but I wasn't available for senior selection," O'Meara said.
"I got injured so I wasn't able to play that much but I hated having to watch the boys play.
"I'm not a good spectator. If you are a good spectator you probably shouldn't be in this industry.
"Hopefully I won't be on the sidelines too much next year."
O'Meara said he felt under no extra pressure as one of the boom kids of his generation.
"I don't get caught up in that stuff about expectations. I just look at what I can control and what the coaches want me to do," he said.
O'Meara said the hernia surgery was just a blip of the radar.
"I'll be sweet. I've had this week off training, I'll do some cross-training and swimming that first week in Arizona and hopefully I'll be running by the second week."
The Suns have landed Fremantle defender Greg Broughton from the Dockers.
The Gold Coast received the 26-year-old Broughton and pick No.60 in exchange for selection No.37 at next month's draft.
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