Hawthorn Development Coach Sam Mitchell has hinted at the idea of Jarman Impey returning to the backline in 2021.

After returning from a knee reconstruction in Round 9 last year, Impey split his time between the forwardline and backline for the remainder of the season.

But Mitchell suggested the 25-year-old Impey was set for a more stable start positionally in this upcoming campaign. 

"He's been working with Chris Newman as a defender and I think we will see him in defence to start the season," Mitchell said.

"His run and carry and his ability to break a line off half-back, we really missed that last year.

"We expect Jarzy to be a really strong contingent of our back end at the start of the season.

"It's exciting for him and for us to have him out on the track and working consistently on the same thing."