PRIZED Gold Coast recruit Jack Martin will enjoy an easier transition into the AFL than fellow GWS mini-draft pick and newly crowned NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O'Meara, Suns coach Guy McKenna says.
Given the almost identical paths O'Meara and Martin took to the Suns, McKenna's prediction will probably ensure Martin starts a healthy favourite to complete a Rising Star double next year.
Both O'Meara and Martin were judged the best 17-year-old talents in the country when the Suns selected them with the No. 1 pick in the GWS mini-draft: O'Meara in 2011, Martin in 2012.
Both had recruiters gushing that they were one-in-a-generation midfielders, players who could crash and bash with the toughest at stoppages and then explode into open space and cut opponents apart with their foot skills.
McKenna's prediction on Wednesday came after he was asked whether Martin could match his fellow West Australian's debut season next year, but it had nothing to do with the pair's respective talents.
"Not taking anything away from Jack, (but) it should be slightly easier for Jack," McKenna said.
"Jaeger's been able to do what he's been able to do in our side as young as it is.
"Jack will go into his first year with a group of young players around him one year older, so Jaeger's had to do it with a side a year younger."
McKenna said Martin would also benefit from being able to tap into the experience of O'Meara and 2010 No. 1 draft pick David Swallow, who like him spent a year at the Suns before entering the AFL ranks.
But McKenna is not putting unrealistic expectations on Martin.
"If Jack has a year half as good as Jaeger, we'd still be very happy," he said.
O'Meara played all 22 of the Suns' games in 2013, averaging 21.6 disposals and kicked 16 goals.
