The 2022 trade flying under the radar and proving fruitful for the Hawks

In the 2022 trade period, Hawthorn moved veteran midfielder Jaeger O’Meara to Fremantle in exchange for a future-second round pick and ruckman Lloyd Meek.

They then packaged that future-second round pick along with a future-third and pick 27 in order to trade up on draft night and select Josh Weddle.

Kane Cornes believes this series of moves has not received enough credit, given the Hawks turned a veteran midfielder into a potential future star in Weddle and a serviceable ruckman in Meek.

Meek took over as the club’s starting ruck in Round 3 this year and has had an excellent run of form.

“One of the trades that the Hawks made where they traded Jaeger O’Meara for a future second-round pick and Lloyd Meek,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.

“They then essentially used that pick to trade up and get Josh Weddle. What a great trade that was.

“They’ve gone and picked this guy Weddle and every time I watch him play, he’s now playing on key forwards because of the injuries that they’ve got, the jobs that he has done and the drive and the flair that he plays with is impressive.

“And Meek has been one of the most improved players and helped turn the corner for Hawthorn who were getting beaten up in the midfield early days.

“That was a good trade.”

Weddle has played 26 career games for the Hawks and averaged 15 disposals, five marks and two tackles per game so far in 2024.

Cornes stated in January that he feels Weddle has the upside to be a superstar of the competition.