NORTH Melbourne recruit Ben McKay has been given the honour of wearing the No.23 jumper made famous by star 1970-80s full-back David Dench.



North has announced the first of its new jumper numbers for 2016, with former Hawk Jed Anderson handed the No.3 guernsey previously worn by two-time club best and fairest winner Brady Rawlings, 1996 premiership player Anthony Rock and, most recently, new Brisbane Lion Ryan Bastinac.



The Roos' second pick in Tuesday night's NAB AFL Draft, Ryan Clarke, will inherit No.13 from retired forward Leigh Adams, while fellow 2015 draftees Mitch Hibberd, Corey Wagner and Declan Mountford will wear Nos.39, 41 and 42 respectively.



Defender Aaron Mullett has also opted to shift from No.41 to No.17 (the jumper most recently worn by retired key defender Nathan Grima) as he seeks to re-establish himself in North's senior team.



But it is McKay, who was North's first pick on Tuesday night at No.21 overall, who will don one of the most revered jumpers at Arden Street.



Dench wore No.23 for all bar the first season of his 16-year career at North, playing 275 games from 1969-84.



Dench revolutionised the full-back position with his preparedness to run off his opponent and counter-attack, with some commentators likening his playing style to recently retired Geelong star Matthew Scarlett.



He was a key member of North's 1975 and 1977 premiership teams, captaining the latter side in Keith Greig's absence through injury, won four club best and fairests, was named at full-back in the club's team of the century and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2000.



North recruiting manager Bryce Lewis said on Tuesday night that the Roos hoped McKay, 199cm and 95kg, could eventually replace veteran Drew Petrie as the club's No.1 spearhead.



However, McKay also played in defence in his 10 games for Gippsland Power this year.



Former Hawk Jed Anderson in Utah. Picture: nmfc.com.au

