Suns gun O'Meara ready for tough run
Despite narrowly missing out on a breakthrough win in WA, Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara says his side's loss to West Coast last weekend could help unlock the secret to success ahead of a season-defining stretch of three games.
The Suns came within three points of defeating the Eagles at Patersons Stadium after an outstanding last quarter saw them erase a 35-point deficit to hit the lead in the dying stages.
A late goal from Eagles third-gamer Jeremy McGovern denied the visitors at the final hurdle, but O'Meara said the form the Suns showed in the final 30 minutes would be enough to match any side if they could sustain it for an entire match.
Gold Coast have sat in the top eight for much of the season so far, but will have their finals credentials tested over the next three matches against Geelong (home), Hawthorn (away) and Collingwood (home).
O'Meara said the players had a thorough review during the week and were confident they could come through the period unscathed if they could unlock the keys to greater consistency.
"We do have a pretty tough stretch coming," he said.
"Obviously we're coming up against some pretty good sides and we feel as if we can match them.
"It's going to take some of our best footy and I think the main thing for us is our consistency throughout games.
"Coming up against the really good sides in the comp, we're going to have to do that.
"If we play that sort of football, win the contested footy, tackle hard and really fix up our skill errors I think we can match any side in the comp."
The Suns have made great strides this season, winning consistently at their home ground and pinching three wins in Victoria.
O'Meara said the progression was pleasing but with so many WA players in the side a win at Patersons Stadium remained one of their major goals.
The 20-year-old was born in Dongara and drafted by the Suns from WAFL club Perth.
"We haven't done it yet so obviously we want to tick that box," he said.
"We've ticked off a few boxes but a win over here would be pretty special. We're getting closer."
O'Meara was one of the catalysts to his side's fourth-quarter surge but said even then there were a couple of missed opportunities the Suns would need to take in the future.
"West Coast played well and when their opportunities came they took them and we didn't," he said.
"There's definitely no excuses anymore.
"We're an AFL side so we're not going to make up any excuses, we're just going to have a look at what we can fix up."
