Prized midfield recruit Jaeger O’Meara unveiled to Fremantle fans as premiership puzzle adds another piece

Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
Camera IconFremantle have unveiled the final piece of their premiership puzzle to fans in Busselton, prized midfielder Jaeger O’Meara returning to training early as part of the Dockers South West community camp.  Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Fremantle have unveiled the final piece of their premiership puzzle to fans in Busselton, prized midfielder Jaeger O’Meara returning to training early as part of the Dockers South West community camp.

O’Meara, 28, joined Fremantle’s first to fourth-year players for a light training and touch session at Busselton’s Bovell Oval.

Despite being less than a week into his time at the club, O’Meara’s leadership was evident throughout the session as the most experienced player in attendance.

The former Sun and Hawk found plenty of the footy during a keepings off style drill and used it well under pressure. O’Meara was also one of the top runners.

Camera IconJaeger O'Meara. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
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New Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson said he was excited about forming an on-field partnership with O’Meara after the pair both joined the Dockers in the trade period.

“He’s a great bloke. I think a lot of the boys are really keen to learn off him. He has a lot of experience playing AFL so it will be good to learn off a player like him,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to building a relationship with Jaeger on and off the field as well.”

The inside midfielder made his training debut on Wednesday at Fremantle Oval and has already made his presence known.

“Jaeger was unreal on the track. He’s a professional,” defender Hayden Young said.

“It was only a light skills session but he was going 100 per cent. He’s going to be a great asset to the group.”

Camera IconLuke Jackson. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

After winning a flag with the Demons in 2021, Jackson believes the foundations are in place for Fremantle to do the same.

“I’m really confident,” Jackson said.

“It’s just a really young core that’s driven for success so I think everyone just really wants to start getting to work and training.

“Hopefully that can lead to more finals and playing in grand finals. I’m really excited for the club going forward to see what we can do.”

The session also saw several of Fremantle’s fresh draft class train in front of a healthy crowd.

Interstate selections Max Knobel, Corey Wagner and Tom Emmett pulled on the purple for the first time after touching down in Perth on Thursday and immediately heading south.

Fremantle’s first pick Hugh Davies and NGA additions Conrad Williams and Josh Draper were also in attendance.

Davies spent the first part of the session training with the main group before joining his fellow draftees who were put through their paces separately to their new teammates.

Camera IconFremantle have unveiled the final piece of their premiership puzzle to fans in Busselton, prized midfielder Jaeger O’Meara returning to training early as part of the Dockers South West community camp.  Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

The Eric Mackenzie-like defender sustained stress fractures in his lower back training in the lead up to the national draft combine last month but ran freely.

Jackson is also excited to reunite with former Demons teammate Wagner after the pair spent 2020 together at Melbourne.

“He’s a great bloke and great player as well, so I’m looking forward to having him back playing again,” he said.

Jordan Clark was the only Docker not in full training, putting in the hard yards with some strength and conditioning exercises away from the main group.

The training session was the list agenda item on a successful community camp for the Dockers, reconnecting with their regional fans after a two-year COVID hiatus.

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