Hawthorn’s pick swap with St Kilda and chase for Jaeger O’Meara results in quiet 2017 AFL trade period

USUALLY a key player at this time of year, Hawthorn will be a low-key club during the AFL trade period. And one eyebrow-raising deal last year is a big reason.

Hawk Jaeger O'Meara gives Carlton's Sam Docherty the slip. Pic: Michael Klein

HAWTHORN fans used to seeing their club swoop in and lure some of the game’s best talent during the player exchange period might be wondering what’s up at Waverley this year.

While the Hawks look certain to land Port speedster Jarman Impey, last year’s active trade period — and a pick exchange that raised eyebrows — means Alastair Clarkson’s men have fewer bargaining chips that previous seasons.

LIVE: ROLLING DAY 3 TRADE ACTION

NEW NAME: BULLDOG TO EXPLORE TRADE OPTIONS

At present, the Hawks aren’t slated to enter the national draft until pick 33 — a number that might fall once free agency compensation picks are dished out.

Rewind 12 months and it was the Hawks who were making trade news as they pursued Jaeger O’Meara, Tom Mitchell and Ty Vickery, and big names Sam Mithell and Jordan Lewis headed out the door for new clubs.

Jaeger O'Meara in action for the Hawks. Pic: Michael Klein

The hefty price paid to land O’Meara saw the Hawks hand St Kilda picks 23, 36 and its first pick in the 2017 draft for picks 10 and 68.

Eventually, after some late haggling that needed Carlton’s involvement, Hawthorn handed pick 10 and this year’s second-round selection to Gold Coast in exchange for the former Suns midfielder.

As the Herald Sun reported last year, the deal with St Kilda “bewildered” many clubs, the discrepancy in draft points (each pick is allocated a certain value of points) getting the AFL’s approval despite ringing alarm bells with rivals.

As a result, the Hawks seemingly are unable to get involved in the chase for any big names unless willing to trade established stars.

O’Meara, 23, played just six games this season after being sidelined the past two years with knee issues.

On Wednesday one former AFL star said the O’Meara trade could go down as “one of the worst of all time”.

“I think it could turn out to be one of the worst trades of all time because of his body and the fact it let him down again after not playing for two seasons before,” former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.

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

Alistair Clarkson would have liked Jake Stringer. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said last month a player like Jake Stringer “would be really handy for our football club” but pointed to the 2016 trade period as the main reason why the Hawks wouldn’t be a serious player during this year’s trade period.

“We were pretty active last year,” Clarkson told Channel 9.

“On the back of that it’s probably more difficult for us to be really active players.

“Certainly in terms of a guy like Stringer it probably excludes us. We like him as a footballer and think he’d be really handy for our footy club, but in terms of how we could possibly get that done, and meet the needs of the Western Bulldogs, we’re probably fairly constrained.”