Little Gary Ablett #29

[Red Rover]

With the club finalising the guernsey numbers for 2002, Ablett will not be wearing the number 5 jumper made famous by his father, but will carry the number 29 for his first season at least.

One can only assume this is Gary Jr's decision after Thompson came out and said he could have the #5 if he wanted it. Perhaps Gary Snr or someone else close to Gary Jr advised him not to wear the #5 straight away in an attempt to avoid father-son comparisons as much as possible, or at least until he proves himself as a footballer in his own right.

I think it's quite a sensible decision, but I do hope one day Gary does wear the #5.

In other number news - poor old Rock Ling will have to keep carrying the #45 for at least another season - I hope they reduce it pretty soon, it's must be getting heavy for young Cameron.

But I'm glad Milburn's still #39 so I don't have to change the number on my guernsey.

 

[JUBJUB]

No. Name No. Name
1 Steven King 2 Tom Harley
3 James Bartel 4 Jason Snell
6 David Spriggs 7 Ben Graham
8 Ronnie Burns 9 James Kelly
10 Marc Woolnough 11 Joel Corey
12 Brad Sholl 13 Glenn Kilpatrick
14 David Clarke 15 Peter Riccardi
16 Charlie Gardiner 17 Tim McGrath¹
18 Kent Kingsley 19 Mitchell White
20 Steve Johnson 21 Cameron Mooney
22 Henry Playfair 23 Daniel Foster
24 Aaron Lord 25 Brent Grgic
26 Matthew McCarthy 27 Brenton Sanderson
28 David Johnson 29 Gary Ablett
30 Matthew Scarlett 31 David Mensch
33 Jarad Rooke² 34 James Rahilly
35 Paul Chapman 36 Peter Street
37 Adam Chatfield² 38 Andrew Carrazzo²
39 Darren Milburn 40 David Wojcinski
41 Josh Hunt 42 Paul Chambers²
43 Daniel O’Brien 44 Corey Enright
45 Cameron Ling 46 Will Slade²


¹ Denotes veteran list player
² Denotes rookie list player

 

[Red Rover]

I wonder who decides the numbers, I guess it's not a huge issue, but I'm sure some players would be keen to chose their own number if they got the chance. The young draftees all got pretty good numbers, whereas Ling and Enright, who I thought showed in 2001 that they could be regular senior players, are stuck with #45 and #44.

 

[eagleskickass]

maybe they like #44 and #45?
I know Ryan Turnball had #50 for his entire career, and liked it.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by eagleskickass
maybe they like #44 and #45?
I know Ryan Turnball had #50 for his entire career, and liked it.

Maybe they do, you'd think they would have had the option, I'll have to ask them.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Cam Ling has worn 45 throughout his career at all levels,thus it is his choice.

Also Gary Ablett himself chose not to ask for no. 5, he wants to earn the jumper just like any other player would have to.

 

[catalyst]

Originally posted by Red Rover
I wonder who decides the numbers, I guess it's not a huge issue, but I'm sure some players would be keen to chose their own number if they got the chance. The young draftees all got pretty good numbers, whereas Ling and Enright, who I thought showed in 2001 that they could be regular senior players, are stuck with #45 and #44.

I wouldn't say they are 'stuck' with their numbers. As P&P mentioned, Ling has always worn #45 and wants to keep it. I would presume that Corey Enright was given the option to change numbers but was happy with the one he's got.

 

[Portia]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
No. Name No. Name

I think you said it all there

 

[Olmy]

Originally posted by JUBJUB

¹ Denotes veteran list player
² Denotes rookie list player

Marvellous bit of editting work there, JUBJUB!

 

[Olmy]

Originally posted by Red Rover
#44.

R.Osborne, Platten, N.Lappin, and a number of other top-line players have all worn #44 for the majority of their careers.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Cam Ling has worn 45 throughout his career at all levels,thus it is his choice.

How annoying is that? I'm obviously wasting my time in waiting for him to reduce his number so I can put it on the back of my top. How does he expect to one day captain Geelong with a number like that? Someone should have a stern word to Ronald McDonald, who does he think he is? Michael Jordan playing for the White Sox?

In fact I've had enough of this whole number fiasco and I think it's time the AFL stepped in. Tony Lockett's going to wear #46, Shaun Rehn's #52, it's just getting ridiculous. What's to stop a player wearing Dennis Rodman's #91? or even #69? If senior lists are limited to 44 including rookie, then there's no reason why players' numbers should exceed #44.

This is a key issue in football which hasn't got enough of a run in recent times. It's time for the AFL to quit worrying about side issues such as draft concessions, salary cap and the long-term viability of the 16 clubs and start focussing on the real issues.

The AFL should introduce a new law giving them the power to fine players match payments should they play senior football wearing a number higher than #44. In addition, for each digit over #44, they can be made to donate a percentage of their annual salary to the "Sydney & Brisbane Premiership Scheme" which aims to provide less fortunate clubs instant on-field success.

Or perhaps the AFL could follow the ACB's lead and number players according to where they come in the history of players who have represented the club. For example, if Gary Ablett junior is the 800th player to make an senior appearance for Geelong, he could be presented with guernsey #800 on his debut.

Whatever the solution, something has to be done to stop these cowboys from holding the AFL to ransom by the numbers they stubbornly wear on their back.

Red Rover