TEEN sensation Jaeger O'Meara could not be happier.
Aside from staying in his home state of Western Australia, the 17-year-old prodigy - who will play for Gold Coast in 2013 - said the club he wanted to play for most was the Suns.
He got his wish on Wednesday when the Suns confirmed they would take O'Meara with the first pick in Monday's mini-draft after a successful trade with Greater Western Sydney.
Gold Coast think so highly of him, they gave up No. 4 pick in this year's NAB AFL National Draft and a first round compensation pick they received from Geelong last year.
For someone who is arguably the hottest teenage property in the country, O'Meara has a remarkably level head on his shoulders.
He is "humbled" but laughs on recent comparisons to Chris Judd and goes to great lengths to thank his family and the Suns for giving him an opportunity.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, O'Meara said he was excited when he found out the Suns would select him.
"If I didn't get to stay in WA I was hoping I would go to the Gold Coast so I'm definitely very excited," O'Meara said.
"They were in my top three preferences so I'm very grateful to be able to go there. Obviously they're a very good club and I've only heard good things about them.
"They're also heading in the right direction, they've got a number of outstanding young players and also they've got the older more experienced guys like Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli and Nathan Bock as well. I'm looking forward to being part of it and having some success in the future."
Despite all the hype surrounding him during trade week, the midfielder with speed, endurance, good hands and great skills on both sides, said he had steered clear of the media frenzy this week.
O'Meara was finishing his Year 12 block exams in Perth before returning to his family home in Dongara where he was greeted with the news.
He said living with a host family in Perth for school would help him adjust to moving away from home to the other side of the country to play AFL.
O'Meara will finish his schooling in the next couple of weeks and go directly to the Gold Coast to begin training for his 2012 season in the NEAFL before entering the AFL in 2013.
"I've always thought that I'd move over if I got the opportunity," he said. "I might as well take it with both hands so it'll certainly help my development and put me in good stead to play round 1, 2013, so I think why not move over now?
"There's no reason I'd stay in WA but I think I'll be coming back a bit next year which will be good."
O'Meara said he was very close to his family - mum Naomi shed a tear or two when hearing Jaeger was moving east - and he wouldn't have got so far without their help.
He was also pleasantly surprised to receive supportive text messages from a number of Suns - including Rischitelli - upon Wednesday's announcement.
And just how will O'Meara fit in with the Gold Coast lifestyle?
"I'm a down-to-earth kind of guy who likes to hang out with his mates. I enjoy a bit of fashion as well so I think that suits Gold Coast pretty well so I'm looking forward to heading over there," he said.
After giving up so much to land him, it's fair to say the Suns are equally looking forward to having him here.
Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting