THE FAMOUS number 11 that new recruit Mitch Clark will wear at Melbourne has been worn in the Demons' past 10 premierships.

The most recent time it was worn in a Melbourne Grand Final however was in 1988 when Demons president and club legend Jim Stynes, playing just his 39th game, had it on his back. Clark was not yet one and the Demons lost to Hawthorn by 96 points.

By the time Stynes retired in 1998 after playing 264 games (including an AFL record 244 consecutive games) he had made the number famous without winning a flag wearing it. The Irish recruit had won the 1991 Brownlow, four club best and fairests, and become one of the most respected figures in the game.

Since Stynes retired the number has been the domain of tall blokes with ruckmen Troy Simmonds (2001), Darren Jolly (2002-2004) and Paul Johnson (2005-2010) being given the honour of wearing the No.11.

As a tall bloke, Clark carries on the club's recent tradition of putting big men in number 11. He also carries high hopes.

Stynes is aware of the number's recent history. When he presented the No.11 jumper to Clark on Monday he delivered his words with a wry smile: "(I) hope you wear this for many, many years. The last few Number 11s did not last very long, so hopefully you will make a name for yourself," Stynes said.

He did not appear to be making a point, just indulging in a moment of self-deprecating humour before he handed over to Clark both the jumper and a warm, gentle, welcoming phrase: "Good to have you here," he said.

Clark accepted the jumper in front of his new teammates who applauded. Someone yelled 'speech'. Clark responded perfectly: "It's obviously a tremendous honour to wear Jim's number," he said. "Hopefully I can do something with it and stay at the Melbourne Football Club for the rest of my career, (and) have a really great career with the rest of these boys and build to something special this year and beyond." 
 
Stynes added it was "good to have a big fella" and "someone with a bit of colour" wearing his number.

The number 11 at Melbourne has not always been the domain of big blokes, but it often attracted big names before Stynes.

The most famous player other than Stynes to wear the number was five-time premiership player and two time best and fairest, centreman Laurie Mithen.

Mithen played 153 games and seven Grand Finals. He wore No.18 in the 1958 losing Grand Final as players were forced to change their numbers when the Sun-News Pictorial published them on the morning of the game, contravening the Football Record's exclusive rights. On that fateful day Keith Carroll wore number 11 for Melbourne, having worn No.19 to success in the 1956 and 1957 premierships.

Four other men have played in Melbourne premierships wearing number 11.

Harold Ball, a ruckman from Merbein, wore No.11 in 33 matches including the 1939 and 1940 premierships. He was killed in action during World War II. 

Warren Lewis wore the number as 19th man in the 1941 premiership, one of just four games he played in the number. He played four matches again in 1944 for Melbourne, but sported No.33.

Gordon Bowman played in the Demons 1948 premiership, wearing the No.11 in 53 matches before joining Hawthorn in 1950. He had the distinction of playing in premierships in four states.

The most recent No.11 to play in a Melbourne premiership was the half back flanker Tony Anderson, who played 75 matches for the club including the 1964 premiership. 

The other big names to wear the number with Melbourne were two-time best and fairest winner, club captain and runner up in the 1972 Brownlow Medal Greg Wells, and 1982 best and fairest Steven Icke.

Unfortunately for the Demons Wells left Melbourne for Carlton in 1981 and played in the Blues premiership team that season, while Icke was part of North Melbourne's 1977 premiership before joining Melbourne.

Of course Clark would be unlikely to know much of that history. He just wants to get out on the ground and play football. Wearing the number is an honour he was happy to take on.

Stynes knows Clark can handle the focus the number might attract. He likes the fact the recruit brings a bit of colour to the team. He likes the fact Clark appears comfortable being his own man. "He's got a little bit of spunk about him," said Stynes.

The challenge is no different but the opportunity is greater as Clark aims to take the No.11 into a Melbourne premiership for the eleventh time.