AARON Davey is a name all too familiar to the red and blue.

In a career that spanned a decade, the Melbourne faithful saw the No.36 run around 178 times, kicking a total of 174 goals and creating a buzz like no other.

With his rich Indigenous heritage, Davey epitomised the Demon spirit, doing his family and his community proud along the way.

Now, a young Kysaiah ‘Kozzy’ Pickett will look to do similar.

And Davey, who knows the Pickett family well, had a congratulatory message for Melbourne’s new arrival.

“It was amazing to see your name read out for the mighty red and blue a couple of weeks ago,” he said in a dedicated video.

“I know all of your family and I know how proud your Nanna Shorty would be.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play with your uncle Byron at times at that great football club, that’s done wonders for me.

“It’s the oldest footy club in the AFL, which has been a massive influence and part of my life, and the person I am today.

“It’s a privilege to play at that special football club.”

Davey ran out alongside Byron 25 times throughout the 2006 and 2007 seasons, and has since maintained strong friendships with the Pickett clan. 

But that bond deepens further in 2020, with 18-year-old Pickett set to wear the No.36 guernsey for Melbourne. 

“For you to be wearing a number that has been very significant and has played a massive part in my life in 36 – it’s one of those surreal feelings where I’m very grateful,” Davey said.

“That No.36 is bigger than me, it’s bigger than just you – it’s brings a lot of people together.

“I’m so proud that you’ve been given the opportunity to wear it and also extremely proud that Melbourne Football Club looked at that jumper as being an Indigenous jumper, on behalf of what I’ve been able to achieve.”

While he will join Davey, Andrew Leoncelli and Jeff Garlett in wearing the number, the player more commonly known as ‘Flash’ hopes Pickett can make the guernsey his own.

“It’s not about me or anyone else that’s worn it,” Davey said.

“It’s great to have you in that jumper, but I’d like to think in about 15 to 20 years’ time, that jumper and that number becomes your own.

“I can assure you, and I will tell you this from the bottom of my heart, that number will be one of the strongest within your family and I just look forward to seeing so many No.36s on kids’ backs – that was the thing that was the highlight of my career.”

With his speed and athleticism, small forward Pickett is an exciting prospect for red and blue fans – Davey included.

And when the time comes for the No.36 guernsey to make its return to the MCG, there’ll be one person watching on with pride.

“I will sit back and look forward to watching you dominate, and seeing that number become bigger and better to where it has been before,” Davey said.

“It’s a number that we’re going to reflect back on [and think of] the career of ‘Kozzy’ Pickett.”