Richmond has announced several key player guernsey number changes for the 2012 season . . .
The Tigers have reactivated some of their “A-grade” numbers that had been “retired” over the past couple of years.
Dylan Grimes has moved from No. 48 to No. 2 (vacated this week due to the retirement of Will Thursfield), Matt Dea from No. 43 to No. 7, Jake Batchelor from No. 31 to No. 11, and Ben Griffiths from No. 38 to No. 24.
Steven Morris, who was snared by Richmond in the recent 2011 trade week, has been given No. 38 - the number worn with such distinction in two Tiger premierships by his father, Kevin Morris.
And, the Tigers’ other trade week recruit, former Adelaide ruckman, Ivan Maric, will wear No. 20 - the same number he had throughout his six-season career with the Crows.
All players on Richmond’s senior list are provided with the opportunity to request a number change. Such requests are then considered (in line with certain criteria) by a sub-committee, comprising the Club’s coach Damien Hardwick, General Manager of Football, Craig Cameron, Football Operations Manager, Ross Monaghan and Editorial and Research Manager, Tony Greenberg.
Below is a snapshot of the award-winning stars, and premiership heroes, who have made famous the No. 2, No. 7, No. 11, No. 20, No. 24 and No. 38 throughout Tigerland history . . .
No. 2
George Bayliss: Three-time winner of the Club’s Leading Goalkicker award and premiership player.
Bert Edwards: Premiership player.
Roy Wright: Dual Brownlow Medallist and member of Richmond’s Team of the Century.
Ian Stewart: Brownlow Medal (the Club’s last one), Best and Fairest winner, premiership player and member of Richmond’s Team of the Century.
Robert Wiley: Premiership player.
Darren Gaspar: Best and Fairest winner.
No. 7
Ernie Taylor: dual premiership player.
Ray Martin: Dual premiership player, dual Best and Fairest winner.
Eric Moore: Premiership player, winner of the Club’s Leading Goalkicker award.
Wayne Walsh: Dual premiership player.
Mick Malthouse: Premiership player.
Michael Mitchell: Winner of Richmond’s Goal of the Century.
No. 11
Mel Morris: Premiership player, Best and Fairest winner, Club captain-coach.
Bert Foster: Premiership player.
Michael Bowden: Premiership player.
Bruce Monteath: Captain of the 1980 premiership side.
Joel Bowden: Dual Best and Fairest winner.
No. 20
Maurie Hunter: Premiership player, Best and Fairest winner.
Dick Harris: Dual premiership player, triple winner of the Club’s Leading Goalkicker award.
Jimmy Jess: Premiership player.
No. 24
Jack Broadstock: Premiership player.
Ray Poulter: Dual winner of the Club’s Leading Goalkicker award.
Bill Barrot: Dual premiership player, Best and Fairest winner, member of Richmond’s Team of the Century.
Mark Coughlan: Best and Fairest winner.
No. 38
Kevin Morris: Dual premiership player, Best and Fairest winner.
