A MID-YEAR move to the half-back flank reinvigorated Impey as a draft prospect. It was a positional change that highlighted the traits most already knew – his pace and smarts – but revealed a few more.
Impey made the Vic Country under-16s side as a half-forward, then kicked nine goals in 12 games for the Murray Bushrangers last season before a double break of his hand interrupted his progress. But the switch during the final game of this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships showed Impey's natural flair for the role. He was one of his side's best players in that game against Vic Metro and took that form into the latter stages of the TAC Cup season for the Bushrangers, helping them to a finals appearance.
Impey made the level-one AIS-AFL Academy squad in 2012 but was cut from the second intake, and used the disappointment in a positive way, determined to show recruiters his skills.
Impey made the Vic Country under-16s side as a half-forward, then kicked nine goals in 12 games for the Murray Bushrangers last season before a double break of his hand interrupted his progress. But the switch during the final game of this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships showed Impey's natural flair for the role. He was one of his side's best players in that game against Vic Metro and took that form into the latter stages of the TAC Cup season for the Bushrangers, helping them to a finals appearance.
Impey made the level-one AIS-AFL Academy squad in 2012 but was cut from the second intake, and used the disappointment in a positive way, determined to show recruiters his skills.
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STRENGTHS
Impey has an amazing change of direction. He can be running with the ball, see a tackler coming towards him then take a quick step and be out in the open again. Half-back looks his preferred home, and he makes life a lot easier for the players up the ground with his foot skills. Often Impey sees things others can't, turns sharply and starts the forward movement. At October's NAB AFL Draft Combine, he ran 2.96 seconds for the 20-metre sprint. He's also a powerful, strong unit who is very good in one-on-one contests. His quick thinking is reflected in testing, too. At the combine he had the fastest reaction time of any player, and was second in the decision-making speed.
WEAKNESSES
In the championships only 35 per cent of Impey's disposals were won in contested situations, and though that ratio was more even for the Bushrangers, it's still an area he can work on. He played in the middle against the Eastern Ranges later in the year, and was matched against Mitch Honeychurch, who just knew his way around the contest a bit better.
STRENGTHS
Impey has an amazing change of direction. He can be running with the ball, see a tackler coming towards him then take a quick step and be out in the open again. Half-back looks his preferred home, and he makes life a lot easier for the players up the ground with his foot skills. Often Impey sees things others can't, turns sharply and starts the forward movement. At October's NAB AFL Draft Combine, he ran 2.96 seconds for the 20-metre sprint. He's also a powerful, strong unit who is very good in one-on-one contests. His quick thinking is reflected in testing, too. At the combine he had the fastest reaction time of any player, and was second in the decision-making speed.
WEAKNESSES
In the championships only 35 per cent of Impey's disposals were won in contested situations, and though that ratio was more even for the Bushrangers, it's still an area he can work on. He played in the middle against the Eastern Ranges later in the year, and was matched against Mitch Honeychurch, who just knew his way around the contest a bit better.
PLAYS LIKE
It is easy to see some Chris Yarran attributes in Impey, in his ability to run off half-back or just as comfortably cause some damage across half-forward. Either spot suits his talents.
DRAFT RANGE
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Impey come in to the top 20. If not, somewhere between then and 35 should be his range.
BOTTOM LINE
A highly talented player with a few damaging streaks. Offers something different: a mixture of pace, hardness, class and vision.
DRAFT RANGE
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Impey come in to the top 20. If not, somewhere between then and 35 should be his range.
BOTTOM LINE
A highly talented player with a few damaging streaks. Offers something different: a mixture of pace, hardness, class and vision.
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