The Cats’ many recruits have been handed their playing numbers, and the new boys are now preparing to carry some famous jumpers into the 2016 season.

Geelong’s first selection in last week’s NAB AFL Draft, Tasmanian key position prospect Ryan Gardner, has taken over the No. 20 guernsey previously worn by three-time premiership player Steve Johnson.

Fellow draftee Sam Menegola, a goalkicking midfielder, has been allocated No. 27, which was worn in two flags by Mathew Stokes.

The Cats’ other selections in the national draft, key forward Wylie Buzza and midfielder Matthew Hayball will wear No. 12 (previously worn by Sam Blease) and No. 15 (previously worn by Dean Gore) respectively.

The three players selected in Friday’s rookie draft, Jock Cornell, James Parsons and Tom Ruggles, have also been handed their numbers.

Cornell will wear No. 17 (previously worn by Hamish McIntosh), while Parsons will wear No. 34 (previously worn by Josh Walker) and Ruggles will wear No. 36 (previously worn by Brad Hartman).

It had already been announced that superstar recruit Patrick Dangerfield, who joined Geelong from Adelaide via a blockbuster trade, will wear No. 35 next season.

Dangerfield wore No. 35 during his TAC Cup career with the Geelong Falcons.

Former Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith will wear No. 9, while fellow trade and free agency recruit Scott Selwood, who joined the Cats from West Coast, will wear No. 16.

No. 9 was previously worn with great distinction by star midfielder James Kelly in three premierships, while Selwood has taken over No. 16 from ruckman Dawson Simpson, who moved to Greater Western Sydney during trade week.

Lachie Henderson, who joined Geelong from Carlton during the trade period, has taken over the No. 25 jumper that was previously worn by defender Jared Rivers.

THE CATS’ NEW NUMBERS

Zac Smith – 9 (previously worn by Mick Turner, Leo Turner and James Kelly)

Wylie Buzza – 12 (previously worn by Ron Hovey, Brad Sholl and Trent West)

Matthew Hayball – 15 (previously worn by Peter Riccardi, Colin Rice and Geoff Mahon)

Scott Selwood – 16 (previously worn by Billy Brownless, Tommy Quinn and John Hyde)

Jock Cornell – 17 (previously worn by John Newman, Tim McGrath and Joe Slater)

Ryan Gardner – 20 (previously worn by Carji Greeves, Steve Johnson and Ray Card)

Lachie Henderson – 25 (previously worn by Les Hardiman, Brent Worner and Geoff Ainsworth)

Sam Menegola – 27 (previously worn by Andrew Bews, Brenton Sanderson and Mathew Stokes)

James Parsons – 34 (previously worn by Peter Walker)

Patrick Dangerfield – 35 (previously worn by Paul Chapman, Billy Goggin and Robert Neal)

Tom Ruggles – 36 (previously worn by Tony Polinelli)



