The famous No. 12 will once again be worn at St Kilda, with Nick Riewoldt formally passing on the number to Max King tonight.

The longest-serving captain in the club’s history, Riewoldt wore the No. 12 throughout his illustrious 336-game career.



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The number was then rested upon his retirement at the end of 2017, however, Riewoldt says King is the perfect player to bring it back.

“I’m thrilled to be passing the number on to Max,” Riewoldt said.

“It’s pretty clear to see that he’s an impressive young man with incredible potential both on and off the field.

“In what has been a pretty tough year for him, he’s tackled his rehab with complete professionalism, and I know the club has been really happy with how he’s been tracking.

“I had a few injuries concerns in my first season. The club was conservative and did the best thing for me long-term, which worked out pretty well in the end.”



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Riewoldt, who has spent the past few months with family in Texas, said it was important to be there in person to present the jumper to Max.

“Presenting him with his first No. 12 guernsey was a really special moment, and I hope he enjoys playing in it as much as I did and makes it his own.”

King, who grew up a Saints fan idolising Riewoldt, said he couldn’t quite believe it.

“I’ve literally dreamt about this moment for as long as I can remember,” King said.

“To be picked up by the Saints a few weeks ago was incredible, but to be given the jumper by Nick himself is just unimaginable.

“If I can have half the career he had I’ll be happy. I hope I can do Nick, the club and the supporters proud.”



Nick Riewoldt hands the No. 12 to Max King



King wasn’t the only recipient of a new number on the night, with all draftees and freshly traded players receiving digits.

Jack Bytel will wear 23, made famous by Justin Koschitzke and Stewart Loewe, while Matthew Parker, Nick Hind and Robbie Young will have the opportunity to forge their own legacies in 34, 40 and 41 respectively.

Mature-age rookie Callum Wilkie will take the mantle of Stephen Milne’s former number, 44, while Dan Hannebery (10), Dean Kent (25) and Sam Alabakis (45) have settled into their new lockers nicely.

There were also a few changes for existing players, with Nick Coffield, Rowan Marshall and Ben Paton all finding new numbers.

Coffield will assume the No. 1, one of the most significant in the club’s history, with names like Trevor Barker, Justin Peckett and Harry Lever having all taken the field wearing the number.

Marshall will inherit the No. 19 from the newly retired Sam Gilbert, while Paton will make Coffield’s recently vacated No. 33 his own.

The full St Kilda 2019 playing list is as follows:

1 – Nick Coffield

2 – Jake Carlisle

3 – Jack Steven

4 – Jade Gresham

5 – Shane Savage

6 – Sebastian Ross

7 – Luke Dunstan

8 – Blake Acres

9 – Jack Steele

10 – Dan Hannebery

11 – Hunter Clark

12 – Max King

13 – Jack Lonie

14 – Jarryn Geary

15 – Jack Billings

16 – Jack Newnes

17 – Dylan Roberton

18 – Billy Longer

19 – Rowan Marshall

20 – David Armitage

21 – Ben Long

22 – Nathan Brown

23 – Jack Bytel

24 – Logan Austin

25 – Dean Kent

26 – Josh Battle

27 – Josh Bruce

28 – Tim Membrey

29 – Jimmy Webster

30 – Ed Phillips

31 – Brandon White

32 – Paddy McCartin

33 – Ben Paton

34 – Matthew Parker

35 – Jack Sinclair

36 – Daniel McKenzie

37 – Bailey Rice

38 – Oscar Clavarino

39 – Darragh Joyce

40 – Nick Hind

41 – Robbie Young

42 – Lewis Pierce

44 – Callum Wilkie

45 – Sam Alabakis

46 – Doulton Langlands