Here they are, our new 2018 guernsey numbers!#ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/5uUJYnakgX
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) December 5, 2017
Papley 11
Ling 19
McCartin 30
Bell 32
Stoddart 33
Brown 41
Styles 45
Amartey 46
37 still on the shelf.
Here they are, our new 2018 guernsey numbers!#ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/5uUJYnakgX
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) December 5, 2017
Papley 11
Ling 19
McCartin 30
Bell 32
Stoddart 33
Brown 41
Styles 45
Amartey 46
37 still on the shelf.
I'm surprised Papley has decided to change, given his reasons for choosing 41 in the first place.
Did either of his grandfathers wear 11 for the Swans?
His other grandfather, Jeff Bray, wore number 23. That might not be available for a couple of years.
I'm sure we'll eventually forget that Papley even wore 41. Last week on Fox they showed the game where we thrashed the Crows in 2013. I saw a player wearing 43 and was wondering who it was. First thought was AJ but realised I got my 3 & 4 mixed up...plus he had done his knee that year. Then realised it was Rampe! I had totally forgotten he had worn that number.
PS. We were really really really good in that game.
Papley following in Ed Barlow's footsteps of moving from #41 to #11. Let's hope he fares better than Ed.
Other changes in recent years
Lockyer 23-18
Ablett 29-20
James 30-18
AJ 34-2
Currie 35-10
Mathews 36-4
Schneider 36-13
Meredith 38-7
O'Loughlin 38-19
O'Keefe 39-5
Fixter 40-9
Malceski 40-9
Barlow 41-11
Papley 41-11
Kennelly 41-17
Rampe 43-24
Cunningham 44-7
Foote 45-6
Brockman 47-26
K.Jack 48-15
Also remember Arnott going from 42 to 2 for only a year before being bumped back to 42 by the arrival of Schwass.
I like the way some players who might be 'entitled' to move up in number keep their later numbers e.g. Lloyd, Smooch, Reg and Goodsey. Mummy even made a point of seeking out #41 when he went to GWS. You don't have to have a small number to be a good player! Not even Buddy is in the top 22 numbers.
Nice bit of history with Papley moving to his grandfathers number. This has been a great story so far, I'm sure it has many highs ahead.
I remember seeing a picture of Papley all painted up at the 2005 GF, it's the type of thing that makes you wish good fortune on a player, a player that is living his boyhood dream and following in two grandfathers footsteps.
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