GOLD Coast midfielder Jaeger O'Meara's management has angrily denied suggestions AFL clubs have been told an asking price if they hope to secure the out-of-contract Sun.
It was reported on Tuesday evening that AFL clubs had already been told a figure they would have to pay to recruit O'Meara, who has not played since being injured in a practice match in April 2015.
However Colin Young, who manages O'Meara, described the suggestion as ridiculous and said the plan has always been to wait until the NAB AFL Rising Star winner had returned to football before discussing his next contract.
"We have said all along Jaeger would not be speaking to any club, whether it be his own club Gold Coast or any other club in the AFL, until he has played a substantial amount of football in 2016," Young told AFL.com.au.
"To think that management would be speaking to any club and seeking any price at this stage is absolutely ridiculous."
The 22-year-old Rising Star winner of 2013 is hopeful of returning to the NEAFL this week after a lay-off with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined from AFL football since round 23, 2014.
In his most recent appearance he ruptured his patella tendon while playing in a NEAFL practice match in Queensland as the Gold Coast prepared to play Melbourne at the MCG in round one, 2015.
O'Meara is one of several Gold Coast players out of contract who said at the start of the year they would take their time to consider their future.
The West Australian has played 44 games and is a star of the future if he can successfully return from his injury.
AFL.com.au understands many Melbourne clubs have been taking a wait and see approach with O'Meara, believing it was impossible to assess his value while he was still sidelined.
Meanwhile the Suns have become increasingly hopeful they could retain the player they picked up as a pre-draft 17-year-old selection.
O'Meara is part of the Suns' leadership group and has impressed the club with his attitude and willingness to buy into the team's program despite not being able to play.
He is understood to have spoken to Suns coach Rodney Eade about his future, as has fellow midfielder Dion Prestia, who is also out of contract.
The club conceded it needed to improve its conditioning program after Eade arrived, and appointed Justin Cordy as the head of performance at the end of last season.
O'Meara told AFL.com.au in February he wanted to play football and feel good about his body again before he discussed contracts.
"I've advised my manager and I've spoken to the club and our general manager (Marcus Ashcroft) and list manager (Scott Clayton) and I've let them know I want to get back to playing consistent senior footy, and once I'm able to do that, then I'm sure discussions will start to take place," O'Meara said.
