Imbi received the Ted Kenna Medal for his efforts across half-back in the Tigers' hard fought 8.10 (58) to 4.6 (30) Anzac Day win over Hamilton Kangaroos at Melville Oval on Tuesday night.

Crane said Imbi, who crossed from Heywood in the off-season, adjusted to the wet conditions. 

"He just reads the ball really well," he said.

"He identifies where the ball is going to go 10 seconds before anyone else does and puts himself in the right spot every time.

"He is going to be a valuable asset for us. It means we can free up a Daniel Jackson or a Nathan Haylock at times as well, that we don't have to rely on them to be back there."

Jackson and Haylock were rotated through the midfield for the Tigers as they tried to offset the loss of injured trio Daniel Falcone, Jesse Murray and Josh Chapman.

Portland's ability to work its way out of a sluggish start pleased Crane.

The Tigers kicked seven goals to one after quarter-time.

The Kangaroos lost two players - ruckman Jack Hickey (ankle) and Sean Barnes (concussion) early in the third term, leaving them short on rotations.

"I thought we started pretty ordinary but I was pretty proud of the way they fought their way through that in the last three quarters and really got the footy on our terms," Crane said of his players.