O'Meara AFL move not end of world: Eade

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says he doesn't agree with Jaeger O'Meara's request to be traded to AFL rivals Hawthorn, by he's far from gutted by the move.

Suns coach Rodney Eade

Suns coach Rodney Eade says he isn't gutted by Jaeger O'Meara's request to be traded to Hawthorn. (AAP)

He may not have agreed to it, but Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade claims he isn't upset at Jaeger O'Meara's decision to request a trade to AFL rivals Hawthorn.

O'Meara has missed the past two seasons with knee problems since succumbing to a patella tendon injury in April 2015.

As a result such, O'Meara hasn't played in an Eade-coached Gold Coast team.

Asked if he was gutted by O'Meara's trade request, Eade told SEN radio: "No, I wasn't because I haven't coached him.

"He hasn't played a game."

Eade has backed the Suns to rebound from O'Meara's looming exit despite comparing the young midfielder's departure to Patrick Dangerfield leaving Adelaide and Hawthorn losing Leigh Matthews.

But Eade revealed he told O'Meara he didn't agree with the move when the gun midfielder made his decision.

"He phoned me about it so I thought that was nice of him, very professional of him (but) I didn't agree with his decision," Eade said.

"I spoke to him about that but there is no sense being angry about it - it is just the way footy is.

"We are going to see more of it in this day and age of footy."

Eade was adamant the Gold Coast would recover from O'Meara's departure.

"Adelaide lost Dangerfield and were a good chance to be top four this year - teams move on," Eade said.

"Leigh Matthews, one of the greatest players of all time, left Hawthorn and next year we won a premiership (in 1986).

"Every club is greater than the individual - teams move on and they survive."

Eade said the Suns were still trying to find the best deal with the Hawks for O'Meara.

"We will wait for Hawthorn to come back to us," Eade said.

"But having said that we would want to be reasonably compensated.

"If we can come out in front in the deal then that's fine, you move on.

"Nothing has eventuated at this stage. It is still a bit of shadow boxing."

Fellow Suns midfielder Dion Prestia has requested a trade to Richmond.

The Gold Coast have the means to fill spots left by O'Meara and Prestia in this year's draft, in which they have plenty of picks including five of the top 25.


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world