Hawthorn’s deal with Jaeger O’Meara can pay off in 2019

The popular view was that Hawthorn made “one of the worst deals of all time” but Jaeger O’Meara showed last weekend he can ­produce the best football of his career this season, writes JAY CLARK.

It’s a big year for Jaeger O'Meara as he seeks a new deal with the Hawks. Picture: Michael Klein

The popular view was that Hawthorn sold the farm for Jaeger O’Meara.

In one of the most convoluted deals of recent years, the Hawks effectively handed over pick No.10 and pick No.26 and some steak knives for the slick, yet injury-plagued Gold Coast midfielder.

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes was convinced the move was a flat-out bust, saying it could be “one of the worst deals of all time”.

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“What they gave up for him and what they’re paying him in terms of salary, I think it’s going to be a disaster,” Cornes said.

But last weekend O’Meara showed he could yet repay the Hawks’ faith, gathering 35 possessions against a star-studded Richmond midfield.

It is a huge year for O’Meara as he looks to clinch a new deal in the next few months worth between $650,000-$850,000 a year and help lead Hawthorn to another finals berth.

If he can step up, and ­produce the best football of his career despite carrying a huge onball load, it will be time to give this controversial trade deal a tentative tick.

In fairness to Cornes, O’Meara had not played a game for the Suns in two years because of his dodgy knee.

Jaeger O’Meara racked up 35 disposals against Richmond in the JLT Series. Picture: Getty Images

But without injured Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell this season, O’Meara looks like Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson’s most important asset. Maybe even his best player.

O’Meara is now the biggest motor in Hawthorn’s engine room. If the West Australian wasn’t there, you’d think Hawthorn’s finals chances this year were cooked.

But against some big names in the pre-season clash against the Tigers on Saturday night, it looked as if O’Meara was ready for the season of his life.

After a solid first 18 months at Hawthorn, he went to ­another level in the back half of last season to finish fifth in the best-and-fairest from 21 games, including two finals.

After the Round 12 bye, O’Meara averaged 27 disposals, 10 contested possessions and six clearances a game, ­according to Champion Data, as the Hawks won nine of their last 11 regular-season matches.

They are decent numbers from O’Meara after a career-threatening knee injury.

While it feels like he has ­already been around forever, O’Meara is only 25, and technically, just hitting his prime.

There are good years left in his career and he could yet captain the side.

And if the recruiting chatter is on the money, he could help prise one of his best mates, ­Stephen Coniglio, out of Greater Western Sydney.

Imagine that, a midfield of O’Meara, Mitchell and Coniglio, plus up-and-coming jet James Worpel, and a fit and ­firing Tom Scully.

Interestingly, O’Meara switched managers two weeks ago. He ditched Colin Young for TLA-ESP’s senior agent Tom Petroro.

Petroro manages a host of superstars including Joel Selwood and Stephen Coniglio.

The Hawks have already begun talks with Petroro about an extension for O’Meara.

He is expected to have the capacity to earn up to $850,000 a year on his next deal depending on his durability and performance.

Originally published as Hawthorn’s deal with Jaeger O’Meara can pay off in 2019