MELBOURNE has finalised its guernsey numbers for 2014, with outstanding young midfielder Christian Salem – the club’s first pick in the NAB AFL Draft – gaining the No.3 jumper.
Salem, who was selected at No.9 overall in the Draft, will claim the number worn by club great Garry Lyon. Former defender Clint Bartram, who retired at the end of the 2012 season, was the most recent player to don No.3.
The club’s second selection, forward Jay Kennedy-Harris, has been given No.24, which was last worn by Liam Jurrah in 2012.
Melbourne’s third and final pick in the Draft, half-back/winger Jayden Hunt, has inherited the No.29 jumper, which was worn by his uncle Andrew Moir, who played 73 matches for Melbourne from 1977-81. Michael Newton was the most recent Demon to wear the number in 2011.
Utility Neville Jetta will again wear No.39, after he was delisted and then redrafted as a rookie.
Melbourne’s three other rookies have also been handed their numbers: Alex Georgiou (No.41), James Harmes (No.43) and Max King (No.47). Those three numbers became vacant after Troy Davis (No.41), Rory Taggert (No.43) and Tom Couch (No.47) were delisted at the end of 2013.
As previously released, Melbourne’s other recruits from the trade/delisted free agency period have been given their numbers: Dom Tyson (No.12), Daniel Cross (No.18), Viv Michie (No.22), Bernie Vince (No.23) and Aidan Riley (No.27).
Two Demons – Mitch Clibsy and Dean Kent – have gained lower numbers this year. Clisby has switched from No.50 to No.15 and Kent has moved from No.34 to No.16.
Jesse Hogan, who is now officially on Melbourne’s list, will wear No.1, although he was allotted that number last year.
New Zealander Maia Westrupp – Melbourne’s international scholarship player – has been given No.50, which is his first number and the club’s highest.
Five numbers between Hogan and Westrupp have not been allocated this year: No.28, No.30, No.34, No.36 and No.49.
2014 Melbourne guernsey numbers
1 – Jesse Hogan
2 – Nathan Jones
3 – Christian Salem (new player)
4 – Jack Watts
5 – Jimmy Toumpas
6 – Chris Dawes
7 – Jack Viney
8 – James Frawley
9 – Jack Trengove
10 – Shannon Byrnes
11 – Mitch Clark
12 – Dom Tyson (new player)
13 – Jordie McKenzie
14 – Lynden Dunn
15 – Mitch Clisby (new number – previously No.50)
16 – Dean Kent (new number – previously No.34)
17 – Sam Blease
18 – Daniel Cross (new player)
19 – James Strauss
20 – Colin Garland
21 – Cameron Pedersen
22 – Viv Michie (new player)
23 – Bernie Vince (new player)
24 – Jay Kennedy-Harris (new player)
25 – Tom McDonald
26 – Daniel Nicholson
27 – Aidan Riley (new player)
28 –
29 – Jayden Hunt (new player)
30 –
31 – Jack Grimes
32 – Michael Evans
33 – Dom Barry
34 –
35 – Luke Tapscott
36 –
37 – Max Gawn
38 – Jeremy Howe
39 – Neville Jetta (regained No.39 after being redrafted)
40 – Mark Jamar
41 – Alex Georgiou (new player)
42 – Jake Spencer
43 – James Harmes (new player)
44 – Rohan Bail
45 – Matt Jones
46 – Dean Terlich
47 – Max King (new player)
48 – Jack Fitzpatrick
49 –
50 – Maia Westrupp (his first number)
