JAEGER O'Meara won't say so himself, but statistics show the reigning NAB AFL Rising Star winner is having an even better second year than his first.
 
O'Meara came into the AFL with some of the biggest raps in recent history – being compared to Chris Judd and Gary Ablett before he played a game – but managed to live up to the hype in his first season.
 
Earlier this week Garry Lyon again said he was the next Ablett.
 
While not racking up the incredible numbers of his Gold Coast captain, O'Meara is easily shelving the notion of 'second year blues', with another stellar season brewing.
 
His averages in every major statistical category have gone up.
 
A polished media performer already, the 20-year-old dodged any questions comparing his first two seasons on Thursday morning.
 
"I'm not comparing myself to last year," O'Meara said.
 
"I'm not sure, you can probably tell me."
 
So, we will.
 
While his disposals (22.7 to 21.6) and efficiency (71 per cent to 70 per cent) have only marginally increased, it's the grunt and hard work areas that have gone through the roof.
 
Last year O'Meara averaged four clearances (47th in the AFL), 9.5 contested possessions (50th) and five tackles (32nd).
 
This year he's increased to 5.6 clearances (26th), 12 contested possessions (18th) and seven tackles (10th).
 
All this in a Suns midfield that is bursting at the seams with talent.
 
O'Meara plays a straight bat when asked about his own form, saying he hasn't been playing too badly but he can improve.
 
"I think we've had some guys that have been playing some really good footy all over the ground and the opposition has probably been more focused on the likes of Dave Swallow, Gary Ablett and Dion (Prestia), so I don't think I've had too much more attention than last year," he said.
 
And in a scary warning for the rest of the competition, O'Meara says he has "a long way to go."
 
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting