Over the past decade, Hawthorn has become one of the masters of the trade period.

The Hawks traded in key premiership players including David Hale, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne and Brian Lake from rival clubs to help the side win three consecutive Grand Finals from 2013 to 2015.

However, former Port Adelaide premiership player, Kane Cornes, believes the club got it drastically wrong with Jaeger O'Meara in what could turn out to be one of the worst trades in history, according to the ex-player turned media commentator.

“I think it could turn out to be one of the worst trades of all time because of his body and the fact it let him down again after not playing for two seasons before," Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday.

"What they gave up for him, the Hawks, what they’re paying in terms of salary, I think it’s going to be a disaster.”

Hawthorn gave up pick No.10 in last year's draft and this year's second round selection to the Suns in order to secure O'Meara during last year's trade period.

The 23-year-old played every game in his first two seasons in the AFL, winning the Rising Star award in 2013. However, serious knee injuries have plagued him since and he failed to play a game in the following two years, before requesting a trade to the Hawks.

He managed just six games in his debut season with Hawthorn, with his degenerative knee issues continuing to plague him.

The Hawks also brought in Tom Mitchell from Sydney and Ty Vickery from Richmond at the end of last season.