CARLTON midfielder Abbie McKay will wear the same No.5 guernsey made famous by her father Andrew, as Carlton assigns its player numbers for the 2019 AFLW season.
After becoming the first father-daughter recruit in the competition’s history, the 18-year-old said she couldn’t imagine playing in any other number.
“When I realised the No.5 was free it really was an easy decision to make, and I think dad is pretty pleased I wanted to take it,” McKay said.
“Dad played 244 games for Carlton in that jumper and won a premiership, so I can’t wait to run out in it next year – it will be a special moment for my family.”
The Blues’ first draft pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Women's Draft, Maddy Prespakis, will be right next door to McKay in the locker room as she heads to the No.4, while fellow draftees Charlotte Wilson and Jess Edwards take Nos.20 and 25 respectively.
Cross-code recruits and rookie-listed players Brooke Walker (No.14) and Chloe Dalton (No.15) will work closely together, while traded-in player Amelia Mullane will wear the No.8 and free agent Kirby Bentley takes No.13.
View this post on Instagram11 new faces, 12 new numbers. Presenting our AFLW jumper numbers for 2019! #BoundByBlue
Key forward Tayla Harris is the only existing player to switch jumper numbers – moving to No.7 – with draftee Rhiannon Watt taking Harris’ previous No.22.
Childhood Bluebagger Emerson Woods will don the No.27 and defender Jayde Van Dyk rounds out the playing list in No.36.
No.4 - Madison Prespakis.
No.5 - Abbie McKay.
No.7 - Tayla Harris.
No.8 - Amelia Mullane.
No.13 - Kirby Bentley.
No.14 - Brooke Walker.
No.15 - Chloe Dalton.
No.20 - Charlotte Wilson.
No.22 - Rhiannon Watt.
No.25 - Jess Edwards.
No.27 - Emerson Woods.
No.36 - Jayde Van Dyk.
As the Blues embark on their third AFLW season and the first under new senior coach Daniel Harford, make sure you support our women and become a member. For more information, click here.
