The Western Bulldogs’ 10 new recruits have been presented with their new guernsey numbers for 2019.
The Bulldogs’ first pick in the NAB AFL Draft, Bailey Smith, will don the lowest number of the group, with the midfielder set to run out in the number six.
The history of the number six is significant at the kennel, with 1954 Premiership captain Charles Sutton, George Bisset and Bulldogs’ games-record holder Brad Johnson all wearing the number.
Father-son recruit Rhylee West will begin his career in the number 14 jumper, which his father Scott wore in his first two seasons before passing it over to former captain Luke Darcy.
WEST TO WEAR DAD’S ORIGINAL NUMBER
Recently-retired premiership forward Clay Smith was the last player to hold the number.
“(Luke Beveridge) rang me after I got drafted and said did I want to wear the number 14, which carries on from Dad's first couple of seasons,” Rhylee told reporters on Wednesday.
“It's a great number, and taking it on from Clay (Smith), who was a good character around the club and key to the Club's success in 2016. It's a great number to wear on my back.”
After arriving at VU Whitten Oval during the NAB Trade Period, Taylor Duryea and Sam Lloyd were presented with number 15 and 22 respectively.
FIND OUT ABOUT ALL THE NEW BULLDOGS AT THE NAB TRADE AND DRAFT HUB, POWERED BY MERCEDES-BENZ VANS
Draftees Laitham Vandermeer (number 23), Buku Khamis (number 24) and Ben Cavarra (number 25) will be side-by-side in the locker room, while former Footscray midfielder Will Hayes will take on the number 32.
Rookies Lachlan Young and Jordon Sweet will start their time at the Bulldogs in the numbers 40 and 41.
New Bulldog player numbers:
6 – Bailey Smith
14 – Rhylee West
15 – Taylor Duryea
22 – Sam Lloyd
23 – Laitham Vandermeer
24 – Buku Khamis
25 – Ben Cavarra
32 – Will Hayes
40 – Lachlan Young
41 – Jordon Sweet
