Free the Number 35

[Trickster]

With Eddie's announcement he's stepping down at the end of 2021, it might also be time to revisit his implementation of the number 35 being handed out to first round draftees. As someone who grew up watching Daics and having the number 35 on his back, it's sat uneasy with me not seeing that number going around much these days and not having a permanent home.

No disrespect to Presti and his unselfishness, but from 1979 to 2010, the jumper was worn 483 times by those 2 players (with a break in 1995 when it was rested). Since then, it's been worn only 81 times over the last decade by the players below and Stephenson aside, barely worn over the last 5 years.

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Given Ed's tenure is coming to an end, what are thoughts about giving number 35 to a permanent owner going forward? And who of the current or future crop may be worthy?

If not this year, there's a particular player who most likely will be our first rounder at the end of 2021 who might be a suitable owner...it's not like expectations won't be high anyway.

 

[Apex36]

Nick Daicos was always going to get, and retain 35 anyway. It was already offered to Josh but he knocked it back, so it’s not like Eddie would have said no to Nick getting it even if he wasn’t leaving.

 

[Trickster]

Nick Daicos was always going to get, and retain 35 anyway. It was already offered to Josh but he knocked it back, so it’s not like Eddie would have said no to Nick getting it even if he wasn’t leaving.

You'd hope so. It'd be a shame if he got it and wore it for 5-10 games and then passed it onto someone else...

 

[magpies42]

You'd hope so. It'd be a shame if he got it and wore it for 5-10 games and then passed it onto someone else...

Why? It’s just a number.

 

[mike123]

Why?

I think the answer to your question is fairly obvious.

 

[Trickster]

Why? It’s just a number.

The same reason your name is magpies42. We associate those numbers with players but also the memories they create. At the moment, there's not many memories or associations being created in the number 35.

 

[magpies42]

The same reason your name is magpies42. We associate those numbers with players but also the memories they create. At the moment, there's not many memories or associations being created in the number 35.

True, but I feel introducing top end talent to the 35 and the selfless and sacrificial story that goes with it is just as beneficial.

I’m ambivalent, Nick may choose to make his own name and have his own number. I don’t think any legacy will be diminished because of a number.

 

[Trickster]

True, but I feel introducing top end talent to the 35 and the selfless and sacrificial story that goes with it is just as beneficial.

I’m ambivalent, Nick may choose to make his own name and have his own number. I don’t think any legacy will be diminished because of a number.

Fair point, but it'd be good to see the number being worn a bit more. I think the notion of handing it to the first picked draftee makes sense but the way it pans out means that invariably the number is barely worn so we don't get to see it as much as we should.

 

[Len Smith Medallist]

True, but I feel introducing top end talent to the 35 and the selfless and sacrificial story that goes with it is just as beneficial

Why? it's just a number.

 

[Raveneyes]

Nick Daicos to wear it for 340 games.

 

[Leviathan Pie]

Numbers, honestly....

 

[pablo disco bar]

Mods please merge all the threads regarding this??

 

[TakingThePies]

It's a number for god sake...

 

[SchuPie]

I’d like them to use 35 in other ways, get creative

- for our 1st pick every year, have them have a small 35 on their shirts / jumper or training gear
- think of other ways to associate the number around the club

 

[Trickster]

It's a number for god sake...

There was a reason we stopped numbering players alphabetically... Some of the greats wore up to 10 numbers when playing in the early era. Imagine the kids these days, they'd be experts at sewing if this was going on now. Like it or not, numbers, stats etc are instrinsically linked in all sports so while the notion of this was in good spirit, one of our greatest numbers deserves to have more players given a permanent chance to wear it.

 

[Black_White]

Because I can...

 

[Kappa]

I’d like them to use 35 in other ways, get creative

- for our 1st pick every year, have them have a small 35 on their shirts / jumper or training gear
- think of other ways to associate the number around the club

Maybe hold them down and tattoo it onto their foreheads?

 

[SchuPie]

Maybe hold them down and tattoo it onto their foreheads?

Full back tatt

 

[mocamagic]

It was an ill-conceived plan from the start and should be abandoned.

 

[johncitizen]

Out of respect for his father.
Nick should wear #35. Up to him and the club obviously.
I would love it.

 

[Black_White]

It was an ill-conceived plan from the start and should be abandoned.

Might have to wait until 2022 when the instigator leaves.

 

[Black_White]

Out of respect for his father.
Nick should wear #35. Up to him and the club obviously.
I would love it.

We all would.
But Brown was offered his old mans number and refused it. Wanted to make his own history, which I really respect.
If and when the #35 is unlocked, it will still be up to the son of a gun to decide if he wants the burden.

 

[Aussie pie]

There have been plenty of threads and posts on this over the years and every time I’ve posted how it’s such a ridiculous so called “tradition” it’s Ed trying to force a marketing idea that is crap. Give it back to Daicos next year If he wants it otherwise it’s back into normal rotation.

 

[Jelly Bean]

True, but I feel introducing top end talent to the 35 and the selfless and sacrificial story that goes with it is just as beneficial.

I’m ambivalent, Nick may choose to make his own name and have his own number. I don’t think any legacy will be diminished because of a number.

Our non-first draft picks don't deserve the story on selflessness and sacrifice? Or would you suggest they also get to understand those values, but in a different way?

The whole thing is a sham. I'd be willing to bet this was always just Eddie's way to keep 35 available for when one of Daic's kids joined the club to take over the number. It has nothing to do with Presti.

Was Beams' number rotated the following year, for doing the same thing (e.g. pulling himself out of the GF side due to an injury that otherwise wouldn't have been noticed)?

 

[magpies42]

Our non-first draft picks don't deserve the story on selflessness and sacrifice? Or would you suggest they also get to understand those values, but in a different way?

The whole thing is a sham. I'd be willing to bet this was always just Eddie's way to keep 35 available for when one of Daic's kids joined the club to take over the number. It has nothing to do with Presti.

Was Beams' number rotated the following year, for doing the same thing (e.g. pulling himself out of the GF side due to an injury that otherwise wouldn't have been noticed)?

Fair point, but please don’t utter Beams and selfless in the same sentence.