Vacant numbers

[S.S. Bleeder]

Can we set up a request to Swans that 37 be retired? Over to Andrew on twitter, back in a minute....

You can't do that, you'd eventually end up with no numbers left if you did that for every great player.

[Bloods05]

You can't do that, you'd eventually end up with no numbers left if you did that for every great player.

I actually agree with this. It's a bit of a silly idea borrowed from American basketball. I don't mind giving numbers a rest for a while and giving numbers like 14 & 37 to special players, but retiring them for good is dumb.

[bloodsbigot]

Number 14 should be rotated and given to the player who wins the best and fairest the previous year.

[YvonneH]

Number 14 should be rotated and given to the player who wins the best and fairest the previous year.

Didn't Richmond do that for a while with #17 going to the captain?

I think Trent Cotchin wanted to keep his # 9.

[southsideswan]

I would be surprised if Talia wanted his old number of 32. His move from the Dogs was not all that happy. If it was me I would pick anything else but 32.

[Conor_Dillon]

I'd prefer for Mills to take number 2...he's going to be under enough pressure from being such a high draft pick as it is without being constantly compared to Paul Kelly should he be wearing the 14.

[swansrob]

I don't mind Mills getting the 14. 37 will almost definitely be retired for a year or two, like the 31 was

[lorakf]

Looks like it has already happened. Seems he might want 32 after all (unless its a mistake)

Michael Talia - sydneyswans.com.au

[cartman48]

Given the history of 14 I would be offering it to Luke Parker, reminds me very much of Paul Kelly.

[stevoswan]

Number 14 should be rotated and given to the player who wins the best and fairest the previous year.

A fine sentiment but impractical. As for Goodesy's number, it should be reserved for the next great indigenous talent we recruit. A fitting tribute to his legacy, and how stoked would the recipient be! Would probably end up a better player with that history on his back. I also agree with Cartman that No.14 should go to our next captain, Luke Parker. He epitomises Skilts 'never say die' attitude, talent and love for the club.

[wolftone57]

Yup I found it sad that despite the auspicious careers of Steve Hedley & Craig Davis in the number 60, no player has been deemed worthy to wear it at the senior level since. Abe Davis wore it for us in the NEAFL, I think.

It has been worn by a number of players in the last few years in the NEAFL.

- - - Updated - - -

I would be surprised if Talia wanted his old number of 32. His move from the Dogs was not all that happy. If it was me I would pick anything else but 32.

The website already has him as 32

[sharp9]

2, 14, 32, 37, 38 are vacant but so are 18 and 30. 28 looks vacant but is taken by rookie Nic Newman. Who was 30? (after LRT). McLaren?
Talia is listed as 32 in both list and head shot format on official site....whilst Sinclair is numberless at end of list, so.....that sounds official
IMHO 14 should always go to tough, promising NSW player. I was more than happy when Bevo got it and then Birdy. Seeing as those 2 have worn it since Kelly, Schwass and Skilton, I don't see it as any particularly strong pressure on a newbie. So Mills it is as far as I'm concerned.
38 is a good ruckman's number, I reckon. This is not rational....I just reckon.
37 should be retired permanently. And the next time we have a dual Brownlow, 372 game 4 time All Australian we can retire his jumper too. Won't be any time soon, I'm guessing, and there are plenty of numbers left to choose from.
I really hated Richmond's number 17 idea and think we should avoid anything similar. My reasoning is that I really dislike players changing numbers mid career...from rookie 46 to 13 is OK when promoted to senior list. In fact I think that more players should do that...Jake Lloyd I'm looking at you - but not from 9 to 17 when you are a 150 game player (or 26 to 14 for that matter!)

[RogueSwan]

.... My reasoning is that I really dislike players changing numbers mid career...from rookie 46 to 13 is OK when promoted to senior list. In fact I think that more players should do that...Jake Lloyd I'm looking at you - but not from 9 to 17 when you are a 150 game player (or 26 to 14 for that matter!)

Gotta agree with you here Sharp. Change when promoted (or a club legend suggests you take their number on retirement Bolton -> Rampe) but otherwise, stick with your number throughout your footy years.

[liz]

Don't think either Bevo or Schwatta ever wore number 14, not for the Swans, anyway. Bevo wore 42 throughout his time, while Schwass wore no 2.

In terms of Goodes' number, I can see the argument for retiring it in the sense that it hardly sets a tradition that will lead the club to run out of numbers. But equally well, I wouldn't mind Goodes inviting someone like Abe Davis to take it on. Davis, not surprisingly, grew up with Goodes as his favourite player, and just as Heeney was able to take on the vacant no 5 of his idol O'Keefe, I think it would be good to see Davis take Goodes' number. No one will expect him to emulate Goodes, just because he wears the same number.

[Ludwig]

Just guessing but:

Sinclair was #22 at the Eagles, so maybe he'll just lop off one of the 2s.
Mills sounds the right kind of player to take on the famous #14.

Agree with liz about Abe Davis taking 37, although the shoes to fill are awfully big. I don't agree with retiring a number. Seeing Goodsies' #37 out on the ground will keep his memory alive and will be an ongoing reminder of his greatness. You can hear the commentators saying:"Abe Davis with the ball, wearing the famous number 37 worn by the Swans' game record holder, 2 time Brownlow Medal winner Adam Goodes."