AFL Hall of Fame membersTim Watson and Robert Walls believe Gold Coast prodigy Jaeger O'Meara has thepotential to become the greatest midfielder in the history of the game.
O'Meara, 19, hasreceived lavish praise in his debut season, including constant comparisons toCarlton superstar Chris Judd, but it's doubtful any compliments rival the extraordinaryjoint declaration of Watson and Walls.
"JaegerO'Meara could quite well go down in history as the greatest midfielder that'sever played the game," Watson said on Melbourne radio station SEN onMonday morning.
"He isunbelievable. You've got to keep reminding yourself that here is a kid in hisfirst season of AFL football at 18 years of age. He has it all.
"I'll standcorrected if that doesn’t eventuate."
Walls said he didn’tdisagree with Watson's appraisal.
"He's goingto be something very, very special," he said.
"To bebetter than (Suns captain) Gary Ablett is a big call. We'll have to check thisin about six years' time, but I don’t think it's ridiculous what Tim said.
"That's howgood the kid is."
In 13 AFLappearances, O'Meara has averaged almost 23 disposals. In his past two games hehas amassed career-best totals of 30 touches against Essendon and 32 againstAdelaide.
The mature Perthteenager has polled votes in the AFL Coaches' Association award on fiveoccasions, and could be recognised again when the votes are announced late onMonday.
O'Meara won the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round five.
Ben Collins is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him onTwitter: @AFL_BenCollins
