JAEGER O'Meara could not care less about the curse of 'second year blues'.
The prodigious Gold Coast talent took the footy world by storm in 2013, with his sublime first season culminating in the NAB Rising Star Award.
After so much hype before his debut, the West Australian delivered, showcasing a package of strength, courage, speed and composure, rarely seen in rookies.
But as many before him have found out, doing it a second time around is much tougher.
Opposition coaches put more time into you, opposition players pay closer attention.
The media starts making comparisons to your first season.
Things can get tough.
But if the 19-year-old has any reservations about what lies ahead for him in 2014, he's not showing them.
To date his pre-season has been outstanding. O'Meara has duelled with Jeremy Taylor, Dion Prestia and draftee Kade Kolodjashnij for the crown of endurance king.
But it's not just that. O'Meara is meticulous and methodical. When he speaks to you, he looks you directly in the eye.
"A lot of people talk about guys having second year blues. At the moment I'm hell-bent on having a really good pre-season and getting as fit as I can," he said after a three-hour training session during the week.
"I want to make improvements on last year. By having a crack this pre-season and doing as many sessions as I can, then I give myself the best chance to do that."
It's hard to remember a teenager playing all 22 games, averaging 22 disposals and five tackles, and kicking 16 goals.
But O'Meara is reluctant to reflect on his first season. It's in the past now.
"We have to focus on our 2014 campaign now, so 2013 is history and we're preparing for next year. I won't give it (2013) too much thought," he said.
"I think I need to improve on every area of my game. My inside 50 entries I really need to improve on, and making sure I finish off well with my disposal."
O'Meara knows he's part of a potentially devastating midfield.
He's learnt plenty from skipper Gary Ablett, but is leaning less and less on the dual Brownlow medallist for advice.
He says the likes of Prestia, David Swallow and Tom Lynch are just as helpful when seeking help.
And then at the other end, there's Jack Martin, the West Australian 18-year-old who has followed in O'Meara's footsteps by being drafted a year early and playing in the NEAFL.
After a short chat with O'Meara, it's the mention of Martin's name that makes him crack his first smile.
"His skills are awesome and he looks like he's got so much time in training," he said.
"Hopefully he can hit the ground running next year.
"He shouldn't have to worry too much about what people are saying on the outside. Jack's a bit of a footy head, similar to me at the club.
"I'm sure Jack will be fine, but if he needs advice he can come to me, but he probably doesn't need it."
O'Meara has plenty to worry about himself in his second season, but you get the feeling opposition teams will have even more to concern themselves with.
