Jaeger O'Meara's relationship with Hawthorn doctor Michael Makdissi was one of the key reasons for the rising star winner choosing the Hawks, according to his manager, Colin Young.
O'Meara, who has not played a senior game for two years after rupturing his patella tendon in 2015, previously worked with Makdissi when he was part of the Australian Institute of Sport Academy.
Makdissi helped Shaun Burgoyne prolong his career after the former Port star arrived at the Hawks in 2009 on crutches and O'Meara is hoping the medical team can have the same impact on his career.
"Jaeger has a relationship with Michael back from the AIS days, when Jaeger said they met they clicked and obviously with Burgoyne back in the day it really got to him," Young said.
"So he was pretty happy that all the planets lined up and Hawthorn was the one.
"It's always a risk because of two years out of the game but they (Hawthorn) think he can (get back to play) and they've got the proof in the pudding."
However, O'Meara playing in brown and gold next season not set in stone, with the Suns set to play hard ball during the trade period.
Gold Coast has stated it wants established players rather than draft picks in exchange for O'Meara, with Luke Breust rumoured to be one player the Hawks may be willing to part ways with.
Love seeing hawthorn self destruct now, the kid hasn’t played hardly in two years and they’ll give up quality in Breust? Just like saints taking Nathan freeman from pies and he still hasn’t played a game. Hawthorn big sliders down ladder now and about time 😜