Footy 18: Mark Robinson and David King preview Hawthorn’s 2018 season

WHILE Hawthorn missed finals last year for the first time since 2009, the club’s investment in Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara could pay off rather soon. WATCH ROBBO AND DAVID KING PREVIEW THE HAWKS’ SEASON

SHORT-term pain for long-term gain.

While Hawthorn missed finals last year for the first time since 2009, Herald Sun columnist David King expects the club’s investment in Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara — albeit at a high price — will pay off sooner rather than later.

WATCH MARK ROBINSON AND DAVID KING PREVIEW HAWTHORN’S SEASON IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Ex-Swan Mitchell was a success last season but O’Meara was again hampered by knee injuries that restricted the prized recruit to just six games after he missed all of 2015 and 2016.

However, King believes O’Meara will “have a big year” in 2018 on the back of a full pre-season.

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Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson is looking forward to watching James Sicily, who was vital to the Hawks resurgence last year from a 1-5 start when he was transformed into a defender.

Hawthorn won nine games and drew another in the remaining 16 games, and King and Robbo agree the Hawks will be difficult to beat this year.

But have they predicted a return to finals action?

Robinson and King preview all things Hawthorn for Footy 18, the Herald Sun’s 116 page footy magazine.

David King is expecting big things from Jaeger O'Meara. Picture: Michael Klein

WHERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF FOOTY 18

Footy 18 is available from Saturday, March 3 onwards — while stocks last at participating newsagents in Victoria and Tasmania.

Cost is $4.95 plus purchase price of that day’s Herald Sun.

You can purchase Footy 18 simply by purchasing the newspaper at participating newsagent — PLUS for home delivery customers and customers who choose to purchase their magazine at a different outlet to where they purchase their paper, a token will also be printed in paper on Saturday March 3, Sunday March 4 and Monday March 5 to be used as proof of purchase.

Footy 18 can also be purchased by calling the Herald Sun Shop on 1300 306 107 or online at heraldsun.com.au/shop