AFL finals 2024: Jarman Impey warns Hawthorn to expect fiery Port Adelaide

Hawthorn’s former Port Adelaide duo know what to expect when they come face-to-face with a wounded Power in Friday’s semi-final.

Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey is excited for his return to Adelaide for Friday’s semi-final against his former Port Adelaide. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey has warned teammates they cannot afford to underestimate his old club when the Hawks meet the Power in Friday night’s semi-final.

Impey said Port Adelaide was sure to respond fiercely to its humiliating qualifying final loss to Geelong last week, with veteran coach Ken Hinkley under pressure after four successive finals defeats.

Impey, who played 75 games in four seasons at Port Adelaide after the Power took him with pick 21 in the 2013 draft, said it would be “surreal” to play in a final against his former side.

“There’s a lot of history … they’re just a great outfit, quality players and quality coaches, so I’m looking forward to going,” Impey said.

“Kenny (Hinkley) is a great coach … knowing what I know, they’ll come out there and play some really good football.

“We have to be really aware of that and we have to bring our best game, and hopefully that’ll be enough to get the win.”

Jarman Impey celebrates one of the best goals of his career in Hawthorn’s round 20 win over Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake / Getty Images

The 29-year-old, who is enjoying a career-best campaign in Hawthorn’s resurgent backline, said the personal high point of his season had come at the Adelaide Oval when he stormed through the middle of the ground for a long-range goal against the Crows in round 20.

He thrilled his younger teammates with a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired “siuu” celebration.

“It probably sums up how much fun we’ve been having this season … and personally, I’m having a lot of fun,” he said.

“It’s always nice running through the middle of the ground and doing a little celebration.

“I spent a lot of time at Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Oval, so it was good to kick a goal with family and friends in the crowd.”

Another 2013 Power draftee, Karl Amon, has also formed a key part of Hawthorn’s rebound after a shift from the wing to halfback this season.

Impey (left) and Karl Amon both joined Hawthorn after years at Port Adelaide, where they were both drafted in 2013. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Impey joked he had pitched immediate success to Amon when he crossed to the 13th-placed Hawks at the end of 2022.

“I said, ‘Mate, come over here, there’s going to be great success’,” Impey said.

“No, I didn’t – I spent a lot of time with Karl, even under-15s, and we got drafted together, so you always share that special friendship when you do get drafted together.

“He’s from Melbourne and I know his family really well. I’m just so happy that he came to Hawthorn … he’s fitted really well, and the boys absolutely love him.”

Amon’s switch to halfback, along with stellar campaigns from Jack Scrimshaw, Josh Weddle, and the injured Sam Frost, has been linked to Hawthorn’s first-year assistant coach Kade Simpson, who took over the backline this season.

Impey says Hawthorn backline coach Kade Simpson (left) has been ‘huge’ for the Hawks in his first year at the club. Picture: Michael Klein

The Carlton 300-gamer was in deep conversation with young defender Jai Serong at Waverley Park on Wednesday before he was given the nod to replace Frost in the semi-final.

Impey said Simpson had been “huge” when it came to the Hawks’ rise.

“Just his development when he walked through the door, he’s just been able to grow and grow,” Impey said.

“We’ve got great personalities in this building … I think everyone around (Simpson) has been able to grow as well.

“We’ve created an environment for him to be himself and perform at his best, and he’s just been so good for us … we’re all rapt for him.”