Essendon preparing mega trade to blow Hawthorn out of water and secure Jaeger O’Meara

ESSENDON is plotting to undermine Hawthorn’s pursuit of Gold Coast young gun Jaeger O’Meara by offering the Suns a draft pick mega deal.

Jaeger O'Meara in action against West Coast. Picture: Richard Gosling

ESSENDON is plotting to undermine Hawthorn’s pursuit of Jaeger O’Meara by offering Gold Coast a mega-pick deal.

The Bombers could snare O’Meara in the pre-season draft for nothing, but they are considering tabling a package which would include next year’s first-round selection and two second-round picks to blow the Hawks out of the water.

The sting is the Essendon offer is similar to the deal Hawthorn last week made for St Kilda’s pick 10, which the Herald Sun learnt would have strongly tempted the Suns if the Hawks had made the same deal to them.

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The Hawks have yet to officially present an offer for O’Meara less than three days out from the trade deadline.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson flew to the Gold Coast on Friday to speak with the 22-year-old.

Essendon’s interest could force the Hawks to up their impending offer for O’Meara after vice-captain Jordan Lewis formally requested a trade to Melbourne, which follows Sam Mitchell’s stunning departure last week.

Jaeger O'Meara at Gold Coast training. Picture: Richard Gosling

Essendon’s issue is convincing O’Meara to come to the club, but the Bombers have been hopeful for some time that the star youngster could get to them.

The Hawks had been working to present the Suns with pick No.10 - which they received from the Saints - and pick No.21 they hoped they would get from Brisbane for Billy Hartung and Brendan Whitecross.

But the deal for No.21 was scuppered when the Lions said no on Monday.

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

Is Sydney really out of the race for O'Meara? Someone with some knowledge of situation said #watchthisspace

— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) October 13, 2016

It means the Hawks were still scrambling to put together a deal which will satisfy the Suns for O’Meara.

The Herald Sun understands even if the Hawks offered picks No.10 and 21, the Suns wouldn’t have viewed that deal as the clincher.

The Essendon offer, in part, would include the return pick on Michael Hibberd who is set to also join the Demons.

Michael Hibberd is expected to be traded to Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bombers want Melbourne’s second-round pick this year, but the Demons are angling for next year’s second-round pick for the exchange.

Suns officials said on Monday night they remained intrigued as to how the Hawks could possibly satisfy them in a trade.

The list of “six to eight players” Hawthorn presented to Gold Coast as bait on the opening day of the trade period did little to excite the Queensland club.

Hawthorn gave up its first-round pick next year and two second-round selections this year - No.23 and 36 - to secure the Saints’ pick No.10 and 68 in a deal one leading player manager described as one of the worst he had seen.