Shepparton’s Jarman Impey and Mooroopna’s Jy Simpkin selected in Indigenous All Stars squad to take on Fremantle

By Liam Nash

Feb 3, 2025

Shepparton export and Hawthorn gun Jarman Impey will suit up for the Indigenous All Stars on February 15 against Fremantle. Photo: AAP/Morgan Hancock. Photo by MORGAN HANCOCK

A decade on from first slipping on the Indigenous All Stars guernsey, Jarman Impey will run it back in less than a fortnight’s time.

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The 29-year-old Hawthorn defender was the first Hawk selected in the 31-strong squad taking on Fremantle at Optus Stadium on February 15, marking his second foray in the exhibition clash.

Impey, a proud Yorta Yorta man and Shepparton and Shepparton Swans product, featured as a teenager alongside the likes of Shaun Burgoyne and Jarrod Harbrow as the All Stars lost to West Coast 7.7 (49) to 5.11 (41) in 2015.

This time around, he’s eyeing off the affair in career-best form.

Impey finished third in Hawthorn’s Peter Crimmins Medal count after averaging 18.8 disposals, 5.6 marks and 5.4 intercept possessions per game in 2024.

He also had the honour of captaining the Hawks across Sir Doug Nicholls Round last year.

Impey voiced his pride about donning the All Stars guernsey once more in light of his selection for the upcoming match.

“I’m very proud to be selected in the Indigenous All-Stars squad and playing amongst a few great friends and great teammates over my journey,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to representing my people and being a part of the team.

“I remember back in the day when I was in the Flying Boomerangs (junior All Stars squad) and I was kicking to Buddy Franklin and Cyril Rioli and it was such a big thing when they were doing the All Stars back in 2012.

“I think the last game was in 2015 so I’m very happy that there’s an All-Stars team and that we’re playing against Freo in the near future.”

Impey will share the stage with fellow AFL stars such as Jason Horne-Francis, Charlie Cameron and Bobby Hill as the Indigenous All Stars reappear for the first time in 10 years.

And while Impey has been there, done that, another Goulburn Valley export will get his first taste of the spotlight next Saturday night.

Newly minted North Melbourne captain and fellow Yorta Yorta man Jy Simpkin was also announced as the squad was finalised on Monday.

The 26-year-old recently became one of two Indigenous captains in the league, alongside Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce, when he was named as the Roos’ sole leader late last month.