Half-back has reporters in and shows off (9)
I believe the answer is:
impresses
'and shows off' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'half-back has reporters' is the wordplay.
'half' becomes 'semi' (I've seen this before).
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'has' indicates putting letters inside.
'reporters' becomes 'press' (members of the press).
'semi' written backwards gives 'imes'.
'imes' placed around 'press' is 'IMPRESSES'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for impresses that I've seen is " creates favourable effect".)