Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey has admitted he's no guarantee to feature in Hawthorn's season opener against North Melbourne next month.
The 26-year-old has been battling an ankle injury first sustained midway through last season, which curtailed Impey's 2021 campaign after 13 appearances.
The former Power utility was enjoying a career-best season with Hawthorn before the setback, averaging 22.15 possessions, 5.38 marks 2.54 tackles and 3.62 rebound 50s in a new role at half-back.
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The Shepparton product thrived in a lethal two-piece tandem with breakout Hawk Changkuoth Jiath as the Hawks looked to steer themselves through a difficult final season under Alastair Clarkson.
Whilst excited with what's on the horizon under rookie coach Sam Mitchell, Impey may not feature for the Hawks' first game with their club great at the helm, with their Round 1 clash just 25 days away.
โItโs been a long pre-season, found myself a little bit injured this last couple of weeks, which is frustrating coming into round 1,โ Impey toldย The Herald Sun.ย
โSo hopefully I can pull it together and race for round 1.โ
Impey has played 59 games for the Hawks since venturing from Alberton Oval at the end of the 2017 season, having also endured a season-ending knee injury in his time in the brown and gold.
Hawthorn have enjoyed a healthy pre-season ahead of their new era under Mitchell's guidance, with star duo James Sicily and Jack Gunston set to make their returns from knee and back injuries respectively.
Promising Hawk Will Day will join Impey in battling to prove his fitness in the coming weeks, with the 20-year-old currently nursing an ankle injury this pre-season.
Day and Impey are likely to miss the Hawks' upcoming pre-season fixtures against Collingwood and Richmond, with their first pre-season squad to be confirmed at 5pm AEDT on Thursday.
