Hawthorn will have double the reasons to celebrate in Round 9, with both Vice-Captain Jaeger O’Meara and star recruit Sam Frost set to play their 100^th AFL games. 

Both have been shining lights amidst a difficult patch for the Hawks. Round 8 saw O’Meara lead the clearances with nine and inflict damage with 653 metres gained. Frost has become a crucial cog in the backline, averaging 6.4 intercept possessions per game.

While they both now bleed brown and gold, it wasn’t long ago the pair were donning very different colours.

O’Meara began his career in 2011, taken with Pick 1 in the mini-draft that allowed Gold Coast to recruit underage talent prior to their inaugural AFL season.

His career began with a bang, with O’Meara awarded the NAB AFL Rising Star award in his debut year.

The injury troubles that followed have been well documented. After playing every possible game in his first two campaigns, a persistent knee injury kept him off the park for the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons. 

After 44 games in the red and yellow, a complex high profile trade was completed that saw O’Meara become a Hawk in the dying minutes of the 2016 trade period.

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After an injury-riddled start in 2017, the following three years have seen the now-26-year-old rise up the ranks to become one of the competition’s most powerful midfielders.

In 2019, O’Meara finished third in Hawthorn’s best and fairest count – his first podium finish to cap off a stellar season.

Sam Frost also began his career as a foundation player at an expansion club, joining GWS via Pick 1 in the 2012 Rookie Draft.

The speedy defender notched up 21 games in his first three seasons, before returning home to Victoria and joining the Demons.

Here, he found his groove, becoming a solid pillar in the Dee’s defence, and playing 70 games over four seasons.

Finally, at the end of the 2019 season, the journeyman requested a trade to the brown and gold.

It’s clear that decision is already paying dividends, with the backman currently enjoying the best form of his career. Already ranked among the best players in several of Hawthorn’s 2020 performances, Frost looks right at home in his new colours.

Neither of these players have had an easy run towards 100 games, and both have demonstrated incredible resilience along the journey.

Here’s hoping the Hawks can pinch the four points against the Blues this Friday night, and celebrate this duo in a style befitting, as they both raise the bat.