When the Hawks run out into the MCG on Thursday evening to start Round 2 of the 2025 season, not only will they be aiming to win their third match for the season for the first time since 2014, but they'll also be aiming to celebrate Jarman Impey's 200th game at AFL level in style.
The honour of playing in his milestone game at the home of football, wearing the brown and gold of the Hawks team who he supported as a youngster, will no doubt be an unmatched feeling for the experienced rebounding defender.
Entering his eighth season at the club, the 29-year-old has become an important piece of coach Sam Mitchell's 'Hokball' game plan that has taken the football world by storm.
His daring runs at breakneck pace to break opposition lines, as well as his exceptional decision-making and ability to hit a target at pace, have made him an invaluable member of the team.
Earlier in the pre-season, when Impey missed the two practice matches against the Geelong Cats and the Western Bulldogs, his energy and enthusiasm were missed massively as the Hawks struggled to gain composure in their back half.
He has started the season off well, being influential in key plays that have helped the Hawks start the season with two impressive victories against the Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers.
Impey featured on the highlight reel from last Friday's 26-point victory, when he used his pace to burn off his opponent before hitting a beautiful lace-out pass to Connor MacDonald, who went back and duly converted.
While being an integral part of the game plan and team dynamics, what stands out most about Impey is his friendly nature to all at Bunjil Bagora.
In a high-stakes environment like an AFL club, having a player of the calibre of Impey in your ranks makes it a place where all are able to thrive.
Speaking ahead of his milestone game against the Blues, Mitchell spoke highly of Impey's character and what he adds to the team.
"Anyone who has spent time at Bunjil Bagora would just know he is one of the players that you love having out here on the track. He's a great player and we have seen what he has done so consistently for such a long period for us now," the Hawks coach said.
"Off the field, he has an enormous influence on our group and he really rounds out our group.
"He makes everyone else around him better."
The journey to this milestone has not been an easy one for the popular Hawk, who has battled significant injuries and loss along the way.
Impey, who was originally selected with Pick 21 in the 2013 AFL Draft, started his career at Port Adelaide where he played his first 75 games.
In 2016, while playing for the Power, Impey suffered a terrible personal loss with the passing of his father. Wanting to return to Victoria to be closer to family, he asked to be traded back to his home state at the end of 2017.
Then Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson met Impey and they clicked straight away, with the Hawks becoming his choice of Victorian clubs.
He was traded by Port Adelaide to Hawthorn in a deal that saw Hawthorn give up Picks 33 and 61 and in return receive Impey, as well as pick 67, who Hawthorn selected now vice-captain Dylan Moore with.
In his first year at the Hawks, Impey made an impressive start, playing between the forward line and the backline with his versatility on show.
He played 24 games that season, kicking 10 goals and fitting in seamlessly with his new environment as he featured in Hawthorn's two finals appearances.
2019 saw Impey take his game to another level, where his consistency and work rate were on show as he helped lead another Hawthorn charge at a finals campaign.
In Round 18 of that year, tragedy struck. Against Geelong at the MCG, he was infringed in a marking contest and landed awkwardly, leaving his season in tatters with an ACL tear that would require surgery.
To put into perspective how big his season had been to that date, he ended up coming fifth in Hawthorn's Peter Crimmins Medal count for best and fairest, despite missing the back end of the season.
His return to the park came in 2020 when the Hawks faced Carlton at Optus Stadium during the COVID Hub.
Impey kicked a goal in his return as the Hawks were victorious, providing a real highlight to fans with his energetic style being back on the park.
His 2021 and 2022 seasons were again impacted by injury as he struggled to consistently get onto the park, during a time when the Hawks missed his valuable leadership and composure.
The past two seasons saw Impey return to his best, with his ability to get out on the park visible through him playing a possible 47 out of a possible 48 games.
His 2024 season was one of consistency and endeavour, with him playing all 25 games, including the Hawks' winning elimination final against the Bulldogs and deservedly coming third in the best and fairest, which was reward for effort and acknowledgement for his team-first attitude.
Running out onto the MCG on Thursday evening in his 125th game for Hawthorn and 200th of his career, the proud Yorta Yorta man will no doubt leave it all on the park as he looks to help the Hawks start the season off on the right foot and celebrate his 200th game in style.
