Josh Daicos will wear the number 26 Gavin Brown made famous at Collingwood, while Callum Brown will take on No. 17 as the two father-sons set about making their own name at the Magpies.

Josh's famous father Peter played 250 games in No.35 for Collingwood and Callum's dad, Gavin Brown, played 254 games in No.26, with both being part of the Magpies' drought breaking 1990 premiership.

Collingwood CEO Gary Pert said Josh Daicos and Callum Brown wanted to carve their own path wearing numbers different to those their famous fathers wore.

"It was a request from the players," Pert said.

"In a lot of ways we think they are going to be under enough scrutiny and attention."

The decision means Collingwood's first pick at the 2016 National Draft, Sam McLarty, will wear the No. 35 in 2017.

This will continue the tradition started at the end of 2010 of giving the number to the Magpies' first selection at each draft to honour the careers of Josh's father Peter and Simon Prestigiacomo.

Kayle Kirby, the Magpies other selection at the 2016 draft, will wear No. 27 next season.

Callum Brown said his dad was happy for him to wear a different number, opting for the one teammate Scott Burns wore with distinction.

"I speak to Dad quite a bit about footy… he's just all about hard work," Brown said.

Josh Daicos said the chance to play AFL was a dream came true and it was surreal to walk out on the training track with his new teammates.

He said any expectations would not faze him, despite being well aware of his dad's legacy.  

"I can only play my best football and give it my best crack and hopefully that warrants the discussion," Daicos said.

Gavin Brown admitted he was shocked when his employer North Melbourne nominated his son at pick No.35, because he had been given no inkling that might happen, but he was just happy his son could make it on to an AFL list.

"It is pretty special for him to come down and play at the place his father played," Brown said.

Peter Daicos said the extra attention could be his son's greatest ally or greatest foe, but he wasn't concerned.

"Pressure is sometimes a good thing because it will make you work a little bit harder to live up to that pressure," Daicos said.

The elder Daicos and Brown are revered figures at Collingwood.

Daicos kicked 97 goals as a small forward in 1990, his uncanny goal sense and freakish skills making him a player ahead of his time.

Brown won three best and fairest awards and was captain of the club.