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Hawthorn speedster Jarman Impey will play his first AFL game in more than a year when he returns against Carlton at Perth's Optus Stadium on Friday night.
Hawthorn hope the return of speedster Jarman Impey will give them a crucial energy buzz in Friday night's clash with Carlton at Perth's Optus Stadium.
Impey hasn't featured at AFL level since tearing the ACL in his right knee against Geelong on July 21 last year.
The 25-year-old has successfully made it through three practice matches in recent weeks to earn his spot against the Blues.
Hawthorn are currently on a four-match losing streak, but the return of Impey has provided them with a timely morale boost.
"Jars has worked really hard to get to this moment and we couldn't be happier for him," Hawks football operations manager Graham Wright said.
"He brings a real energy to our group so hopefully that will translate on Friday night and the boys can be really energised by his return."
All-Australian forward Luke Breust (fractured jaw), Tim O'Brien (ankle) and ruckman Jon Ceglar (fractured toe) also return, with the Hawks dropping Mitch Lewis, Josh Morris, Darren Minchington, and Keegan Brooksby.
Carlton have lost forward Mitch McGovern to a hamstring injury, but welcome back spearhead Harry McKay.
While Impey's return is set to provide the feel-good story on Friday night, plenty of eyes will also be on Patrick Cripps.
The Carlton skipper was blatantly held off the ball several times in last week's win over North Melbourne, with the Blues bringing up the matter with the umpiring department.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson described Cripps as one of the best players in the competition, but indicated his team wouldn't break the rules to stop the star onballer.
"It won't be tactics outside the rules of the game I wouldn't think. He's too big a body anyway," Clarkson said.
"We've got more worries about us and our form line than we have about what's going on with the opposition and all the dialogue and scrutiny from the game that Carlton played last week."
