THE NO.24 GUERNSEY has a rich history at the Melbourne Football Club.
Percy Beames, Ian Ridley and Russell Robertson are among those who have pulled on the jumper; the latter playing 225 games with the No.24 on his back.
In 2020, draftee Trent Rivers will join them, becoming the 43rd Melbourne-listed player to wear the number.
And Robertson had a special message for the new holder.
“I’m so pleased to hear that someone’s going to be wearing [the No.24 guernsey],” Robertson said in a dedicated video.
“I hope you can get out onto the MCG real soon to ply your craft in that jumper.
“Think about all those guys that have worn it before you – I thought about all the guys that wore it before me – Ian ‘Tiger’ Ridley, Percy Beames.
“They won premierships in that jumper and I hope that you can win a premiership too.”
Robertson, who donned the No.24 from 1997 to 2009, also had some words of wisdom for 18-year-old Rivers.
“To get drafted is one of the great things – it’s absolutely awesome,” he said.
“You’ve been trying so hard to get there, but now mate, the work starts, and I’m sure you know that.
“The only advice I can give, mate, is find some guys down there that can teach you, work hard on the track [and] leave nothing in the tank.
“Blokes like Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Max Gawn – they know exactly how to train. Ask them questions [and go] under their wing.”
Rivers, a 188cm defender, is set to start his career at the opposite end of the ground to Robertson, who kicked 428 career goals.
But with plans for Rivers to add to his game in the future, fans could see the No.24 make a forward-half return.
“I’m sure you’ll be out on the MCG running around in that No.24 guernsey and I’m going to be clapping you all the way, mate,” Robertson said.
“I did it in the forward line; apparently you’re going to be doing it in the backline, but why not sneak forward and kick a goal and give me a celebration – that’d be awesome.”
Originally from Western Australia, Rivers was selected with pick No.32 in last month’s National Draft.
