Fremantle have allocated jumper numbers to their five draftees while a further seven have opted to change their numbers for the 2021 season.

The biggest change comes at the no.3 locker with NAB AFL Rising Star winner Caleb Serong making the switch from 22.

Fellow 2020 rising star nominee Sam Sturt has moved two lockers down from Serong, taking jumper no.1.

Brett Bewley (34 to 17), Lloyd Meek (30 to 22), Liam Henry (31 to 23), Leno Thomas (48 to 24) and Tobe Watson (45 to 38) have also changed numbers.

From the 2020 draft class, Heath Chapman will wear the no.27, Nathan O’Driscoll no.30, Brandon Walker no.31, Joel Western no.34 and Josh Treacy no.35.

Draftee Heath Chapman in action at training

The number changes come as Fremantle cut its total list size from 47 in 2020 to 43 in 2021.

Henry said he has always wanted to play in either number 23 or 33, because his two favourite players growing up were Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli.

“When I was younger I really looked up to Cyril and Buddy, so I’ve always wanted to wear either 33 or 23, and this year 23 became available so I jumped on board and I’m really happy with it,” Henry said.

Sturt said he didn’t want to pass down the opportunity to wear the no.1.

“It’s a great number to have. It’s nothing against the 27, Lachie Neale was a great player and wore the number really well” Sturt said,

“As soon as the no.1 was available I wanted that opportunity. ‘Ballas’ (Hayden Ballantyne) wore that number well, so it’s another proud number for the club.”

Watson said his motivation was to keep the no.38 in the backline.

“I switched from 45 to 38 because of my idol at the club, Lukey Ryan. He used to wear 38 and now he’s in 13, so I thought I would try and continue on his legacy in 38 in the backline,” Watson said.

Meek said that he’d always wanted to wear the number 22.

“It’s just always been my favourite number as a kid,” Meek said.

“It started because I was born on the 22nd of April. I’ve always just loved it and I thought if it ever came up I would grab it.

“I played in the 22 once as a kid. I had a lot of different numbers growing up but I hope to stick with this one for a while.”

FREMANTLE’S 2021 JUMPER NUMBERS
1 Sam Sturt
2 Griffin Logue
3 Caleb Serong
4 Sean Darcy
5 Adam Cerra
6 Reece Conca
7 Nat Fyfe
8 Andrew Brayshaw
9 Blake Acres
10 Michael Walters
11 James Aish
12 Mitch Crowden
13 Luke Ryan
14 Nathan Wilson
15 Ethan Hughes
16 David Mundy
17 Brett Bewley
18 Darcy Tucker
19 Connor Blakely
20 Matt Taberner
21 Joel Hamling
22 Lloyd Meek
23 Liam Henry
24 Leno Thomas
25 Alex Pearce
26 Hayden Young
27 Heath Chapman
28 Lachie Schultz
29 Luke Valente
30 Nathan O’Driscoll
31 Brandon Walker
32 Stephen Hill
33 Travis Colyer
34 Joel Western
35 Josh Treacy
36 Brennan Cox
37 Rory Lobb
38 Tobe Watson
39 Sam Switkowski
41 Bailey Banfield
42 Stephan Giro
43 Michael Frederick
44 Taylin Duman

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