HE’S CLEARING every hurdle by some distance in his rehabilitation but Gold Coast midfielder Jaeger O'Meara still looks set to miss the Suns’ season opener.
The 21-year-old underwent a revolutionary surgical technique where he had both kneecaps shaved to solve the tendonitis issue that hampered his 2014 campaign.
Since having the surgery in London, O'Meara hasn't played a minute of the Suns' pre-season campaign and will sit out their final practice match against the Brisbane Lions on Friday.
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Coach Rodney Eade said on Thursday his inclination was to keep the young gun sidelined for the Suns' round one clash with Melbourne on April 4 at the MCG.
Eade says the move is more about following O'Meara's surgeon's guidelines than any hassles in the midfielder's recovery.
"We had really direct guidelines from the surgeon about what his program would look like. That's been followed to the letter," Eade said.
"The biggest problem has been he's actually smashed every hurdle going along the way. He hasn't had any hiccups.
"He's just about ready to go but we're probably just erring on the side of caution to be honest."
O'Meara has played 44 games straight since debuting in round one 2013, but Eade says that streak won't play a role in whether the third-year midfielder takes on the Demons or not.
"Those type of records, if that's the right phrase, are more for statisticians and the media," Eade said.
"I don't think he's thinking about it. I think he's thinking more about his long-term future as a footballer and what's best for him.
"He's a driven young lad but his professionalism and the way he's gone about it has been sensational."
The Suns will also be without skipper Gary Ablett against the Lions, with the dual Brownlow medallist continuing his comeback from a season-ending shoulder injury sustained against Collingwood nine months ago.
Eade says the clash with the Lions is more about the performance and the practice than the result.
"If you perform well, you're going to win," he said.
"That's not the be-all and end-all going into this game, no.
"Performances from some individuals and also things we've been working on, if we can see some positive signs on those areas then I'll be pleased."
