The numbers 5, 8, 12 and 17 have covered the backs of Collingwood supporters both young and old for much of the past decade.
Nick Maxwell, Heritier Lumumba, Luke Ball and Dayne Beams all left their mark on the club – and on the Magpie Army – but the new faces inheriting their famous numbers are set to carry on the tradition.
After stints in No. 35 and No. 19, Jamie Elliott will wear Maxwell’s No. 5 in season 2015.
Elliott, now one of the most recognisable faces on the Collingwood landscape, says the inspiration behind his new number came from a chance conversation with his old captain.
“I was at Marty Clarke’s engagement party,” Elliott explained to collingwoodfc.com.au.
“I was having a chat to Maxy and said that I wanted the number five. I had actually thought about it and I did want it.
“He messaged me the next day and said ‘were you serious about wanting the No. 5’, and I said ‘you’re going to have to let me think about it’.
“It’s a big number and it’s a huge privilege to get it.”
Prior to Maxwell, the No. 5 was famously worn by Nathan Buckley in 260 games between 1994 and 2007, but the 22-year-old said he had barely spoken to his coach about inheriting his old locker.
“I actually have not had a word to him (Bucks) about the No. 5, apart from Derby Day, where I had a chat to him and he said ‘you don’t need to talk to me about it’.”
All numbers at every football club have their stories.
The No. 30, which was kept in mothballs in 2014, returns for 2015.
It will be worn by Darcy Moore, just as his father Peter did in 172 games for Collingwood between 1974 and 1982.
“Wags (Football Operations Manager Marcus Wagner) mentioned last week that I was down for it but didn’t know for sure until Wednesday morning,” 18-year-old Darcy told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“It’s a really humbling feeling to be able to wear the same number as my old man.
“I’m really proud of what he’s done and I’m ready to make a contribution in the jumper as well.”
New recruits Travis Varcoe (No. 18), Levi Greenwood (No. 19) and Jack Crisp (No. 25) have each been assigned their numbers for 2015, while Jesse White will upgrade to the No. 9, left vacant by the retired Marty Clarke, after a year wearing No. 18.
No. 5 – Jamie Elliott
Famous No. 5s: Terry Waters, Barry Price, Ron Wearmouth, Ron McKeown, Nathan Buckley, Nick Maxwell
No. 8 – Tom Langdon
Famous No. 8s: Jack Hamilton, James Clement, Heritier Lumumba
No. 12 – Matthew Scharenberg
Famous No. 12s: Des Healey, Errol Hutchesson, Ross Dunne, Denis Banks, Luke Ball
No. 17 – Jonathon Marsh
Famous No. 17s: Thorold Merrett, Doug Barwick, Scott Burns, Dayne Beams
No. 21 – Nathan Freeman
Famous No. 21s: Jeff Clifton, Mark Williams, Michael Christian, Sharrod Wellingham
No. 30 – Darcy Moore
Famous No. 30s: Des Tuddenham, Peter Moore, James Manson
No. 46 – Mason Cox
Famous No. 46s: Marley Williams
The Magpies of 2015
1. Alex Fasolo
2. Sam Dwyer
3. Brent Macaffer
4. Brodie Grundy
5. Jamie Elliott
6. Tyson Goldsack
7. Ben Kennedy
8. Tom Langdon
9. Jesse White
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Jarryd Blair
12. Matthew Scharenberg
13. Taylor Adams
14. Clinton Young
15. Jarrod Witts
16. Nathan Brown
17. Jonathon Marsh
18. Travis Varcoe
19. Levi Greenwood
20. Ben Reid
21. Nathan Freeman
22. Steele Sidebottom
23. Lachlan Keeffe
24. Josh Thomas
25. Jack Crisp
26. Marley Williams
27.
28. Ben Sinclair
29. Tim Broomhead
30. Darcy Moore
31. Jackson Ramsay
32. Travis Cloke
33. Patrick Karnezis
34. Alan Toovey
35.
36. Dane Swan
37.
38.
39.
40. Paul Seedsman
41.
42. RETIRED
43. Adam Oxley
44. Corey Gault
45. Jack Frost
46. Mason Cox
2015 jumper numbers unveiled
Find out which players will be wearing new numbers in 2015.