Both men were put up for trade last year,but there were no suitors. Industry sources expect the Hawks to test the market again come October,despite the pair having a year to run on their contracts.
Industry sources say the Hawks would want a first-round selection in exchange for Mitchell,29 this month,but Matt Rendell,a former recruiter with Adelaide and Collingwood,said Mitchell and O’Meara,28,would not generate the value the Hawks may hope for.
“The Hawks are only going to get a second round for either. There are two reasons – age profile,and everyone knows the Hawks are trying to tip them out,so it’s a buyer’s market,” Rendell said.
“If they[Mitchell and O’Meara] can find a home and get two years with a club in contention,they should jump at it.”
One current recruiter suggested Mitchell could be worth a late first-round or high second-round selection,while O’Meara,whose career has been impacted by injuries,was worth a second-round pick.
As the 12th-placed Hawks (3-5 win-loss record) fine-tune preparations for Saturday’s clash against Richmond,coach Mitchell dismissed talk about the future of the pair on Wednesday.