Essendon believes it is still in the race for Jaeger O’Meara despite talks with Hawthorn
ESSENDON believes it is not out of the race for Jaeger O’Meara despite Hawthorn securing pick No.10 as the AFL trade period passes halfway.
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ESSENDON believes it is not out of the race for Jaeger O’Meara after an indifferent and at times turbulent trade week for Hawthorn.
O’Meara chose Hawthorn over the Bombers as his destination club, but at the halfway mark of the trade period, the Hawks and Suns are still to strike a deal.
The Hawks and Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton were scheduled to meet late Friday after Hawthorn secured the No.10 draft pick from St Kilda.
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The Bombers were perplexed about how the Hawks could satisfy the Suns via a trade of players and picks.
But the acquisition of pick 10 should tempt the Suns to broker a deal.
If not, the Bombers are ready to swoop on O’Meara at the pre-season draft, where the Suns have promised to send the highly-talented midfielder if the Hawks can’t propose an adequate deal.
They also know they were strongly in the mix for the 22-year-old before he chose Hawthorn.
The unrest surrounding Jordan Lewis, who continues to explore a trade with Melbourne, which followed the departure of club legend Sam Mitchell, has put the Hawks in the unlikely position of a club approaching turmoil.
If the O’Meara plan falls, Lewis leaves for Melbourne after Mitchell was traded to West Coast and Brad Hill was traded to Fremantle, the Hawks will rue a bungled trade period.
It’s believed there is frustration among some players, including Lewis, about the lucrative deals offered to Tyrone Vickery (about $500,000 per season), O’Meara ($700,000) and Tom Mitchell (estimated $550,000).
Jaeger coming to Melbourne. He's locked in a removalist to go from Mermaids Beach to Richmond next wk. Goodbye glitter strip .. hello Hawks?
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 14, 2016
Hawthorn gaining No.10 critical for Jaeger O'Meara. The Suns wanted 14 to secure Pearce Hanley, and were miffed when that went to Sydney.
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 14, 2016
The Bombers have the cap space to accommodate O’Meara, who will command about $700,000 a year.
But Friday’s trade for pick 10 should see talks progress.
Hawthorn traded picks 23, 36 and its first selection in next year’s draft to the Saints for 10 and 68.
Earlier this week, it is believed the Suns asked Hawthorn for the No.14 draft pick, a future draft pick and a player for O’Meara.
The Suns planned on sending pick 14 to the Brisbane Lions to secure star Irishman Pearce Hanley, but were astonished when the Hawks instead swapped pick 14 for Mitchell.
Hawthorn at one stage was open to including sharpshooter Luke Breust in the deal.
Triple-premiership midfielder Liam Shiels is a candidate to be sent north.
Suns football boss Marcus Ashcroft confirmed the club has contacted the managers of Hawthorn players they are interested in.
If Gold Coast receives No.6 and 10 next week...
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 14, 2016
Suns' picks: 4, 6, 8, 10, 22, 24, 30, 44
Tigers' picks: 27, 46, 64
Hawks' picks: 57, 68, 70
Shiels is contracted at Waverley until 2019.
It’s believed O’Meara this week locked in his move to Melbourne with a removalist company.
He is expected to pack up his Mermaid Beach address and move into a property in Richmond as early as next week.
The Suns remain steadfast that they will not strike a trade out of panic should talks drag into the final day of trade period.
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Hawks list boss Graham Wright remains “hopeful” of finalising a trade for O’Meara.
“We’re talking (with Gold Coast). I’m sure we’ll catch up in the next day or two but that’s where we sit at the moment,” Wright said.
We’ve got ongoing conversations with Gold Coast.
“We haven’t spoken for a day or two, so I’m unsure exactly where it sits right at the moment, but we’re going to catch up again and hopefully be able to work towards getting something done.
“We’re half way through, we’ve already had a few trades already go through and we’ve got some other discussions to have, but you’re always concerned about that, but we’re hopeful.”
Wright said the make up of the trade in relation to the picks and players required by Gold Coast was unclear.
“I’m unsure about that,’’ he said. “There’s a fair bit of water to go under the bridge obviously in relation to what we can do.”
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