Jaeger O’Meara is a welcome inclusion to the Hawks’ Round 6 team set to take on St Kilda.
The young midfielder returns to the line-up after spending two weeks on the sidelines while recovering from a knock to the knee sustained during Hawthorn’s Round 3 clash with the Suns.
GM- Football Operations Jason Burt believes O’Meara’s availability will give the Hawks’ midfield an added boost ahead of its clash with the Saints.
“Jaeger’s selection is a real positive as we head into this weekend’s game,” says Burt.
“As we’ve said all along, we wanted to take a cautious approach with Jaeger, and we’re fully confident that he is fit and ready to go.”
“We know he can slot seamlessly into our midfield and play his role.”
Though the Hawks’ will undoubtedly be buoyed by the boom recruit’s inclusion, they will be forced to line up without Cyril Rioli who will miss due to hip soreness.
“Cyril pulled up sore after landing on his hip during a marking contest in last week’s match, and unfortunately he just hasn’t recovered in time,” says Burt.
“We’re confident he will be right to play next week.”
Despite heading into the game without their star small forward, Burt is confident the selected side can carry on the momentum from last week’s win.
“We have been really pleased with the output of our younger players over the past couple of weeks.
“It’s great to head into this week with a pretty settled line up, off the back of a consistent performance by all 22 players against West Coast.”
ROUND 6 TEAM
Hawthorn vs St Kilda
UTAS Stadium
Saturday 29 April, 1.45pm
B: Blake Hardwick, James Frawley, Ben Stratton
HB: Ryan Burton, Josh Gibson, Luke Hodge
C: Isaac Smith, Tom Mitchell, Billy Hartung
HF: Luke Breust, Tim O’Brien, Jack Gunston
F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Will Langford
R: Ben McEvoy, Liam Shiels, Jaeger O’Meara
INT: Kaiden Brand, Shaun Burgoyne, James Sicily, Daniel Howe
EMER: Kade Stewart, Ricky Henderson, Ty Vickery
IN: Jaeger O’Meara
OUT: Cyril Rioli (hip)
