After enduring a first year at Hawthorn that was hampered by injury, Jaeger O’Meara would have been buoyed by the fashion in which he finished the 2017 season.
Celebrating his 50th game against the Western Bulldogs in Round 23, the occasion gave Hawks fans an opportunity to recognise O’Meara’s talent.
The 23-year old gathered 25 disposals and a game-high 11 tackles, with nine of them coming in a ferocious first half.
The former Sun complemented fellow recruit Tom Mitchell’s game as the dynamic duo combined for 24 contested possessions, 17 tackles and nine clearances.
O’Meara’s milestone game was also special given the result, being the first win O’Meara has played in since Round 19, 2014.
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It was just the 19th win of the Western Australian’s 50-game career.
Friday night’s match will likely have given O’Meara a sense of momentum heading into the upcoming preseason.
Having played every possible game in the first two years of his career with the Suns, O’Meara has managed just six in the following three years.
Yet playing the last two games of this season will give the midfielder confidence heading into what will be his first injury-free preseason in three years.
