AFL games: 21
Disposals per game: 20.3
Contested possessions: 10.8
Clearances: 5.1
Tackles: 5
Inside 50s: 4.4

Season summary:

Missing just one game, O’Meara was a steady head in Hawthorn’s midfield across season 2022.

He averaged 20.3 disposals per game, with more than half of those contested, again proving O’Meara’s willingness to win the hard ball.

The 28-year-old also averaged more than five clearances and five tackles per game, making him a valuable role model for the young Hawk midfielders.

O’Meara further demonstrated his leadership qualities during his time as stand-in captain.

Best AFL game:

O’Meara’s strongest showing was in his home state of Western Australia against Fremantle in Round 13. He totalled 30 disposals, including 9 clearances and seven tackles, and also kicked a goal as the Hawks went down to the Dockers by 13 points.

How the coaches saw him:

“I thought Jaeger had a really good year. He had an interrupted pre-season so it took six games for him to really hit his straps but once he got going, his inside and outside game had a really good balance. He started to really get going in the second half of the season, hurting teams with run and spread. He was forward a lot more this year and was able to hit the scoreboard, so he learnt that new role well and I think that's going to make him a better player going forward. Not having known Jaeger before this year, he was exceptional for me as a midfield coach to help get the boys together, to lead and be strong in meetings. He obviously stepped up in the absence of Ben as captain, so it was a great leadership year for him and I thought he took huge strides in his leadership over the course of the year.” – Robert Harvey