Hawks hope on O’Meara return

HAWTHORN has regained batteringram Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall for tonight’s match against Adelaide, as the club refuses to write off boom recruit Jaeger O’Meara’s year as a bust.

O’Meara is suffering bone stress in a long-troublesome knee but coach Alastair Clarkson says O’Meara won’t be put in cotton wool for next season.

Clarkson says Hawks medicos are relieved O’Meara’s injury isn’t tendonrelated.

“It’s a little bit of a hiccup for us because he was really doing a mini preseason to try and get back,” Clarkson said yesterday.

“And in the process of putting some load through, that knee got a bit of bone stress.”

Clarkson said there was no temptation to sideline O’Meara with 2018 in mind.

“We think it’s good for him and us he gets up to play (this season),” Clarkson said.

“Even if it’s two or three games and even if that happens to be at Box Hill rather than at senior footy, we think it’s important for him and his rehab.

“He has played very little footy for the best part of 2½ years now. So it’s good for him and good for us if we get him playing, so we will be trying to do that and we won’t be putting him in cotton wool.”

The Hawks are in 17th spot with just four wins, with Luke Breust and Ryan Schoenmakers also returning to the team for tonight’s clash.

Josh Gibson is out with a groin injury and Brendan Whitecross is among three players omitted.

The Crows have made one change, replacing Riley Knight (omitted) with Luke Brown.

Hawthorn was held to its lowest halftime score — 0.1 — against Port Adelaide three weeks ago at Adelaide Oval.

“(Adelaide Oval) has become a bit of a fortress of both of the teams in Adelaide,” Clarkson said.

“You need to try and be at least even with them at quarter-time if you give yourself a chance.”