Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson believes new recruit Jarman Impey can rise to become a star at Hawthorn.
The hard-tackling utility has impressed in his first pre-season at Hawthorn, putting forward a strong claim for a spot in the Hawks’ Round 1 side after 18 disposals, five marks, six tackles and three goals in their final JLT Community Series hit-out against Carlton on the weekend.
Clarkson believes Impey has the capability to become a very important player for Hawthorn in 2018 and beyond.
“He’s had a good summer. We’ve liked Jarman for a long period of time,” he told SEN Mornings with Kane Cornes.
“He’s probably been a guy that quite naturally has probably sat behind Robbie Gray and Travis Boak and Chad Wingard, those sorts of guys.
“What we’re asking him to do is push himself forward and don’t succumb to the pressures of seniority. Don’t say ‘I’m not going to go in to a centre square because it should be Tom Mitchell or Cyril Rioli in there.’
“We recognise he’s got some significant strength around his speed and raw power and we want to see that in the forward line, midfield and when we need it, in the back end. He’s played all those positions but because he has bowed to seniority too much, that’s why he has been held back as a B or C-grade player.
“If he gets that exposure, confidence in himself, belief and impact in the manner we’d like, then he can become an A-grade player for us.”
The 22-year-old was traded by former side Port Adelaide last year after 75 games in four seasons at the Power.
The Hawks kick off their 2018 season against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday March 24.
Click here to listen to Alastair Clarkson chatting to Kane Cornes on SEN Mornings below: