I hope your numbers aren't granted based on a player's value... you have three virtually untried players rated ahead of Bennell who has shown more than a few glimpses of brilliance and is likely to step up to the next level next year. He is thoroughly deserving of the #7 based on any criteria the club may want to apply. Put simply, he IS going to be a star!

My only reason for Cook getting 7 Is he's a first round pick. I have no reasoning for rest, just think they'd suit the number.

Honestly do not care. Surely it's up to the individual players what numbers they have on their backs. Yes, it can be painful for those with numbers on their backs (how many got the 48 in 2009?), but realistically, if it helps the players mentally in some small way to change numbers, I'm all for it.

Quick mover out of the back line with good foot skills as I remember.

Suffered brain fades under pressure and a fear of putting his body on the line.

So, different numbers mean different things to different players and different supporters.

No surprises there really.

Me personally, I always coveted a low number (being a show pony)

I like to see the better players in lower numbers generally, but don't really give a rats clacker

and whatever we say will have no bearing on the club/players re numbers

Correct. And for all you precious types regarding who is eligible for the coveted and highly regarded No7, here is the past 50 years of No7 wearers:

1963 – 1964 Owen Zinko

1966 – 1975 Graham Osborne (No. 24, 1976 – 1977)

1976 Ray Smith (No. 43, 1975)

1977 – 1979 Barry Denny

1980 – 1981 Phil Pinnell

1982 – 1990 Brian Wilson

1991 Rod Owen

1992 – 1999 Darren Kowal

2000 - 2002 Stephen Powell

2003 Gary Moorcroft

2004 - 2010 Brad Miller (No. 37, 2002 – 2003)

Aside for Brian Wilson and Stephen Powell, the No 7 jumper has not done alot. And you cant tell me that Darren Kowal and Gary Moorcroft were deserving the No 7 jumper more than Bennell.

We are really sweating the small stuff here kiddies.

And BTW I wont hear of a bad word against Owen Zinko either!

Now Rhino this is much more interesting than if Bennell gets no. 7

I was around in 63/64 and I have no memory of him.

Do you know where he played?

Does anyone know who he was?

So, different numbers mean different things to different players and different supporters.

No surprises there really.

Me personally, I always coveted a low number (being a show pony)

I like to see the better players in lower numbers generally, but don't really give a rats clacker

and whatever we say will have no bearing on the club/players re numbers

But then DC if we took that attitude there would be nothing on Demonland.

You were obviously a lot better than me I was just happy to get a number!

I'm happy with the number 25.

But then DC if we took that attitude there would be nothing on Demonland.

You were obviously a lot better than me I was just happy to get a number!

true true, but this subject is more subjective than others

haha, never said what i actually got, old dee

P.S. In my day jumpers were supplied by the club (generally) so choice of numbers also came down to what was available in your size (S,M,L, XL etc) or close to.

true true, but this subject is more subjective than others

haha, never said what i actually got, old dee

P.S. In my day jumpers were supplied by the club (generally) so choice of numbers also came down to what was available in your size (S,M,L, XL etc) or close to.

You are correct I had forgotten that problem.

Always fanced 31 ( wonder why) but it was a small, tried to get into it a couple of times.

What a joke!

Settled for 32, closest I could get?

Can't believe no one has mentioned The Wiz in this thread.

Ah a voice of good sense and reason.

Talk about much ado about nothing.

If you go by some posters here, Simon Buckley at No 1 must have been a gun.

That # 7 list you provided is not too flattering. No 1 would read the same I'd suggest?

Certainly, going by this thread alone, numbers don't seem to carry a lot of significance. I have some romanticism with the numbers but could care less in comparison to the same regard to see a flag.

At least we don't retire every second number as they do in many US sports.

Can't believe no one has mentioned The Wiz in this thread.

He was 33, then became 8.

Back out to 33 after a poor season.

Nothing to do with the number, just superstition.

Now Rhino this is much more interesting than if Bennell gets no. 7

I was around in 63/64 and I have no memory of him.

Do you know where he played?

Does anyone know who he was?

Agree. Until I saw the list I hadn't either.

Definitely not a Father/Son pick.

A great name...Owen Zinko

That # 7 list you provided is not too flattering. No 1 would read the same I'd suggest?

Certainly, going by this thread alone, numbers don't seem to carry a lot of significance. I have some romanticism with the numbers but could care less in comparison to the same regard to see a flag.

At least we don't retire every second number as they do in many US sports.

Agree it isnt. But you ask for the No 1 list. Careful there was a Test Cricketer in there.

1912 William Allan (No. 9, 1913; No. 19, 1914)

1913 Douglas Chapman

1914 Des McDonald/Carlyle Kenley (No. 22, 1913)

1915 Johnny Hassett (No. 34, 1913)

1919 – 1923 William Allan (see 1912 above)

1924 – 1931 Stan Wittman

1932 Leo Nolan

1933 Noel Barnett

1934 Col Niven (No. 10, 1933; No. 2, 1935)

1935 – 1940 Gordon Jones

1941 Stan ‘Pop’ Heal

1942 Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott (No. 5, 1937 – 1940)

1943 Keith Shadbolt/Don Hooper (No. 18, 1932 – 1935)

1944 Ron Kimberley (No. 21, 1939 – 1941)/Jack Compton

1946 – 1947 Ern Rowarth (No. 33, 1945)

1948 James Mitchell (No. 37, 1946 – 1947)

1948 – 1956 Denis Cordner (No. 17, 1943)

1957 – 1959 Dick Fenton-Smith

1961 Bruce Leslie

1963 Garry Byers (No. 50, 1962)

1964 – 1967 Robert Foster

1968 – 1972 Max Walker (No. 46, 1967)

1974 – 1981 Garry Baker

1984 – 1985 Steven Smith (No. 35, 1974 – 1983)

1988 – 1991 Steven O’Dwyer (No. 32, 1987)

1993 – 1994 Adrian Campbell

1995 – 1997 Sean Charles (No. 44, 1992 – 1993; No. 18, 1994)

1998 – 1999 Jamie Shanahan

2003 – 2005 Chris Heffernan

2005- 2009 Simon Buckley

Agree. Until I saw the list I hadn't either.

Definitely not a Father/Son pick.

A great name...Owen Zinko

Agree it isnt. But you ask for the No 1 list. Careful there was a Test Cricketer in there.

1912 William Allan (No. 9, 1913; No. 19, 1914)

1913 Douglas Chapman

1914 Des McDonald/Carlyle Kenley (No. 22, 1913)

1915 Johnny Hassett (No. 34, 1913)

1919 – 1923 William Allan (see 1912 above)

1924 – 1931 Stan Wittman

1932 Leo Nolan

1933 Noel Barnett

1934 Col Niven (No. 10, 1933; No. 2, 1935)

1935 – 1940 Gordon Jones

1941 Stan ‘Pop’ Heal

1942 Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott (No. 5, 1937 – 1940)

1943 Keith Shadbolt/Don Hooper (No. 18, 1932 – 1935)

1944 Ron Kimberley (No. 21, 1939 – 1941)/Jack Compton

1946 – 1947 Ern Rowarth (No. 33, 1945)

1948 James Mitchell (No. 37, 1946 – 1947)

1948 – 1956 Denis Cordner (No. 17, 1943)

1957 – 1959 Dick Fenton-Smith

1961 Bruce Leslie

1963 Garry Byers (No. 50, 1962)

1964 – 1967 Robert Foster

1968 – 1972 Max Walker (No. 46, 1967)

1974 – 1981 Garry Baker

1984 – 1985 Steven Smith (No. 35, 1974 – 1983)

1988 – 1991 Steven O’Dwyer (No. 32, 1987)

1993 – 1994 Adrian Campbell

1995 – 1997 Sean Charles (No. 44, 1992 – 1993; No. 18, 1994)

1998 – 1999 Jamie Shanahan

2003 – 2005 Chris Heffernan

2005- 2009 Simon Buckley

It is a close go but I reckon No.1 wins

Aah, the mysterious Zinko! I acquired an MFC 1963 Souveneir album in my trails a few months back with a bio on each player going into the 1963 season, and he was one that caught my eye, not only because of historical anonymity but also his great name!

Behold (I hope the link works ok!):

I also remember I looked him up in the demons enyclopaedia of players and he did managed to player at least one game in his time at the club

Since Matthew Warnock changed to number 1, his success as a footballer has dramatically dramatically dropped away, so maybe they should put that number in mothballs and Warnock go back to a higher one..

Aah, the mysterious Zinko! I acquired an MFC 1963 Souveneir album in my trails a few months back with a bio on each player going into the 1963 season, and he was one that caught my eye, not only because of historical anonymity but also his great name!

Behold (I hope the link works ok!):

I also remember I looked him up in the demons enyclopaedia of players and he did managed to player at least one game in his time at the club

Great pickup Dave.

Any chance you could scan and post a few more from Album? I'm sure plenty would be interested.

How about the collar on the guernsey. With rpfc's penchant for tradition, I wonder if he would like to see a revival?

Great pickup Dave.

Any chance you could scan and post a few more from Album? I'm sure plenty would be interested.

How about the collar on the guernsey. With rpfc's penchant for tradition, I wonder if he would like to see a revival?

Oh Please DC lets not go there till at least Jan 2011 arrives!

Aah, the mysterious Zinko! I acquired an MFC 1963 Souveneir album in my trails a few months back with a bio on each player going into the 1963 season, and he was one that caught my eye, not only because of historical anonymity but also his great name!

Behold (I hope the link works ok!):

I also remember I looked him up in the demons enyclopaedia of players and he did managed to player at least one game in his time at the club

Thanks DD but we still do not know what position he played!

Great pickup Dave.

Any chance you could scan and post a few more from Album? I'm sure plenty would be interested.

How about the collar on the guernsey. With rpfc's penchant for tradition, I wonder if he would like to see a revival?

I might look silly today but go for it!

Aah, the mysterious Zinko! I acquired an MFC 1963 Souveneir album in my trails a few months back with a bio on each player going into the 1963 season, and he was one that caught my eye, not only because of historical anonymity but also his great name!

Behold (I hope the link works ok!):

I also remember I looked him up in the demons enyclopaedia of players and he did managed to player at least one game in his time at the club

That is Fantastic!! Love how his job is listed as just Clerk for what i wonder!!!

Bring back that old jumper for sure, style! B)

That is Fantastic!! Love how his job is listed as just Clerk for what i wonder!!!

Bring back that old jumper for sure, style! B)

Imagine Barry Hall getting hold of that collar in a jumper punch. It'd be lights out!

But the importance of numbers shouldn't be denied - for players there is significance in certain numbers, for supporters there is significance in certain numbers.

I appluad us making Watts, Scully, and Trengove apart of our future and our history by giving them a connection to Smith, Barassi, and Neitz/Dixon.

Yes. Clearly, part of the "new" direction for the club is to reinforce our history, honour our past players and champions, and build a club culture around the MFC. Giving out specific numbers is clearly part of that strategy, as is moving players down from higher to lower numbers.

Zinko played 3 games for 3 goals, my Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers -Melb Edition tells me. And hes the last player listed in the alphabetical book! Given his height and goals per game average of 1.0 youd expect he was a forward goal sneak, but thats only a wild guess.

Some of the players occupations are fantastic from this book : Farmer, Sales Trainee, Light Representative(?), Car Salesman, Law Student etc etc.

If I get time i'll do a new thread and post all the scans Ive done of this book (so as to not hijack this one too much more).

Zinko played 3 games for 3 goals, my Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers -Melb Edition tells me. And hes the last player listed in the alphabetical book! Given his height and goals per game average of 1.0 youd expect he was a forward goal sneak, but thats only a wild guess.

Some of the players occupations are fantastic from this book : Farmer, Sales Trainee, Light Representative(?), Car Salesman, Law Student etc etc.

If I get time i'll do a new thread and post all the scans Ive done of this book (so as to not hijack this one too much more).

Owen was supposed to be the next Ron Barassi, as a ruck rover and was just a dud.