IT’S THE most wonderful time of the year.
Carlton’s five new Blues have had their jumper numbers locked in for season 2022.
After today’s earlier announcement that Corey Durdin will wear the No.19 guernsey next season, the Blues’ first pick in this season’s draft will also take on the number of a retired club legend.
Jesse Motlop, who arrived at the Blues from South Fremantle, will wear the No.3 jumper vacated by 300-game former captain, Marc Murphy.
It’s a number rich with Navy Blue history, with Murphy - who is the games record holder in the number - joined by Hall of Famers Mike Fitzpatrick and Kevin Hall as esteemed Blues to call the No.3 locker home.
There’s a sense of history repeating for Carlton’s three traded-in recruits.
Having worn the numbers for the duration of the stints at Fremantle and Sydney respectively, Adam Cerra (No.5) and George Hewett (No.29) will be in familiar territory at their new club.
The Navy Blue No.5 has been home to seven premiership players, as well as Brownlow Medallist and triple John Nicholls Medallist, Chris Judd.
Hewett will be looking to emulate the career path of Heath Scotland, who switched clubs and wore the No.29 distinction on the way to becoming a fan favourite — and the Club’s 2012 best-and-fairest winner.
Finishing off the trifecta is Lewis Young, who has been awarded the No.33 guernsey: it was the number he wore in his first season at the Western Bulldogs, when he debuted against his new club back in 2017.
A self-proclaimed fan of the long-sleeved jumper, Young might be able to call on the No.33 games record holder in Ryan Houlihan for some sound advice.
Rounding things out is Domanic Akuei, the Carlton Academy recruit who was selected by the Blues as a Category B rookie.
As a rookie who was selected by his boyhood club and looking to get the best out of himself, Akuei won’t need to look far for inspiration in the No.41 guernsey recently vacated by Levi Casboult.
NEW JUMPER NUMBERS IN 2022
Jesse Motlop — No.3
Adam Cerra — No.5
Corey Durdin — No.19*
George Hewett — No.29
Lewis Young — No.33
Domanic Akuei — No.41
