The acquisition of Jaeger O’Meara in the 2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period has added to the A-grade talent in Fremantle’s midfield, according to Head of Player Personnel David Walls.

Arriving at Fremantle on Wednesday in a trade with Hawthorn, O’Meara has played 143 AFL games, was in the Hawks leadership group since 2019 and was elevated to vice captain in 2020. He also stood in as captain for Ben McEvoy for a handful of games in 2022.

Walls said the 28-year-old would help fill the hole left by the retired David Mundy, while providing crucial leadership to the midfield group.

“Jaeger O’Meara is an A-grade midfielder who has played a lot of footy in the last two years,” Walls said.

“He’s got his body right, he’s a super person and he’s going to bring so much to our group in terms of his leadership, professionalism and in a cultural sense.

“He’s also just going to help our midfield. Losing Dave, he can play that role and he’s probably a little more versatile in the roles he can play.

“Jaeger’s going to help guys like Will Brodie, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong as we’re bringing in another big body and experienced head in there.”

O’Meara’s presence on the list will also enhance the development of emerging midfielders Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson.

“We did consider how this would impact Erasmus and Johnson, and in quite a positive way,” Walls said.

“He’s going to have such an impact on them as he’s an absolute pro, a big body that they can learn off. And he’s going to protect them for a year or two while they can still develop.

“Dave going out has placed a massive reliance and expectation on them, so he is going to help them learn and also help them on game day.”

Fremantle traded Lloyd Meek and a future second round pick to Hawthorn as a part of the trade, with a future fourth round pick coming back to Fremantle.

There was also a financial agreement with Hawthorn as a part of the deal.

“In terms of salary, Hawthorn will be contributing significantly to Jaeger’s contract next year,” Walls said.

Freo also traded Rory Lobb to the Western Bulldogs on the final day, with Lobb and Meek joining Griffin Logue, Blake Acres and Darcy Tucker as Fremantle’s player departures from the trade period.

Walls said the additions of O’Meara, as well as Luke Jackson and Josh Corbett, made the period a positive one for the Club.

“We’ve taken a big step forward this trade period,” Walls said.

“Corbett fills a real need in a specific role and he is going to be really handy for us.

“Jaeger and Luke Jackson are just top-end talents. With Luke, we can slot in a 21-year-old, 200cm ruck/forward who is so versatile and is only going to get better and better.

“We have 27 young players who we think are going to get better with another pre-season, and we’re adding two top-enders to that.

“We have had some outs, but I think the net ins outweigh the outs and the organic growth is where we’re going to get significant improvement.”

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