Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo says Jaeger O’Meara is playing an important role for the Hawks, but isn’t back to his dynamic best.
O’Meara won the Rising Star after a dominant debut season in 2013 and didn’t miss a game over his first two years in the AFL, but is only just getting continuity back into his game.
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“O’Meara is working into it,” Dal Santo told SEN Afternoons.
“I spoke to him post game and even the way he described himself…he feels like he is building as well.
“I think that’s good awareness of where he thinks he is at, where the club’s at, and then how he fits into that.”
The 24-year-old battled serious knee injuries during his time at the Suns and didn’t play a game in 2015 or 2016 before seeking a trade to Hawthorn.
O’Meara has since played 18 games for the Hawks and is now giving fans a taste of his brilliance.
“I think we see glimpses and maybe two to five examples of it a game,” Dal Santo said.
“We go ‘oh wow – that’s it, I remember when he did that at the Gold Coast’.
“But it’s only two to five at the moment.”
Dal Santo said O’Meara’s form is improving, but instead of being the main focus of Hawthorn’s side, he is just playing his role.
“I also think the way the Hawks are playing he’s part of the collective midfield,” he said.
“Tom Mitchell’s the man, he’s the one that does the majority of the work inside.
“But the beauty of what O’Meara brings…is he can do a combination of both (inside and outside work).
“But when you’re winning you don’t really mind what role you’re playing, as long as you’re part of a fun, winning environment.”
O’Meara has now played 62 matches over his six-year career.
Listen to Nick Dal Santo's chat with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons in the player below