Jarman Impey is a proud Yorta Yorta man who grew up in Shepparton. He’s 31 and plays as a defender for Hawthorn.

This year, in his 13th season, he earned his first All-Australian blazer.

This month the AFL named him one of seven inaugural First Nations Player Leadership Scholarship recipients.

Ahead of Jarman’s 200th game last year, his coach Sam Mitchell said:

“He makes everyone else around him better.”

In the preliminary final, with less than a minute left and Hawthorn three points up, Jarman was pinged for holding the ball. Brisbane kicked the goal from the free, then another after the siren. Hawthorn’s season was over.

The umpire, Hayden Meyer, copped abuse as he left the ground.

Two nights later at the Brownlow, Jarman was asked about the call.

“It was the right decision.”

“But credit to Hayden, and I hope that there was no hate message towards him, so sending love to him.”

The easy options were all there. “No comment.” “I thought I got it away.” “It’s a tough one.” Nobody would have blamed him for any of them.

Instead he backed the call that ended his season, and sent his love to the umpire everyone was blaming.

That’s sportsmanship, and that’s a role model.

So Jarman, thank you.

For showing the boys what good sportsmanship looks like, in the same week your season ended.

Losing a prelim final like that would have hurt. You still looked out for the umpire copping the grief, and reminded everyone there’s more to life than footy.

For speaking so openly about how much you struggled after losing your dad, and for sharing that story to raise awareness of mental health. You’re showing boys and young men that talking about it is strength.

That’s the kind of man we want young people to look up to!

Good luck in the grand final sprint tomorrow. We’ll be cheering you on.

💚