IT’S A numbers game.
Carlton has unveiled its new jumper numbers for the six new Blues who have arrived at Ikon Park in 2021.
The No.6 worn with distinction for the last 18 years by Kade Simpson won’t be in mothballs for long, with boyhood Bluebagger Zac Williams handed the jumper for 2021.
Having watched Simpson as a fan before coming up against him as an opponent for GWS, Williams will look to create his own history in a jumper also worn by the likes of Bob Chitty and Garry Crane.
There’s also room in the single digits for fellow recruit Lachie Fogarty, who has been awarded the No.8 guernsey vacated by the retired fan favourite, Matthew Kreuzer.
Fogarty will become just the third player to wear the No.8 jumper for Carlton in the last 25 seasons, following Kreuzer (2008—2020) and Lance Whitnall (1997—2007).
It will be more of the same for Adam Saad, with the new Blue retaining the No.42 on the back of his jumper which he wore across 109 games for both Gold Coast and Essendon.
The number, made famous by premiership player and coach Robert Walls, hasn’t been worn in an AFL game by a Carlton player since 2016.
Carlton’s draftees have also been given their first numbers in the AFL system, with first pick Corey Durdin to take over the No.29 locker.
Having arrived at the Blues from the same junior club as Patrick Cripps, East Fremantle’s Jack Carroll will wear the number his co-captain wore in his debut season, No.16.
Wrapping things up is rookie Luke Parks, with the versatile defender setting up shop in the No.26 locker.
New player numbers:
6. Zac Williams
8. Lachie Fogarty
16. Jack Carroll
26. Luke Parks
29. Corey Durdin
42. Adam Saad
