Essendon Football Club has announced its guernsey numbers for the 2017 season at its annual Member Forum held at Etihad Stadium this evening.

Headlining the changes is Bombers’ Number 1 Draft Pick, Andrew McGrath, who will run out in the number 1 Guernsey this season.

McGrath said he was humbled to wear the guernsey which has been made famous by champions of the Club.

“I’m extremely honoured to wear the number one guernsey next season,” McGrath said.

“To be handed the number worn by champions of our Club such as Merv Neagle, Mark Harvey and Mark Johnson is something I’m proud of but also understand the significance of.

“On our lockers are the names of the past players who have worn the guernsey and a list of their achievements. It certainly gives you motivation before training and reminds you of the hard work you need to put in if you want to achieve the ultimate team success.”

Fellow draftees Jordan Ridley, Josh Begley, Kobe Mutch and Dylan Clarke will don numbers 14, 16, 19 and 37 respectively.

New recruits, James Stewart and Josh Green will take on numbers 17 and 15 respectively.

Number 1 Rookie Draft Pick, Sam Draper, will run out in number 38 and Category B Rookie and the Bombers’ inaugural Next Generation Academy player, Ben McNiece, will don the number 41.

The remainder of the Bombers’ playing list remains unchanged for season 2017.

ESSENDON GUERNSEY NUMBERS – 2017 PLAYING LIST

1

McGRATH

Andrew

2

BELLCHAMBERS

Tom

3

PARISH

Darcy

4

WATSON

Jobe

5

STANTON

Brent

6

DANIHER

Joe

7

MERRETT

Zach

8

GLEESON

Martin

9

GODDARD

Brendon

10

FRANCIS

Aaron

11

ZAHARAKIS

David

12

BAGULEY

Mark

13

FANTASIA

Orazio

14

RIDLEY

Jordan

15

GREEN

Josh

16

BEGLEY

Josh

17

STEWART

James

18

HURLEY

Michael

19

MUTCH

Kobe

20

MERRETT

Jackson

21

HEPPELL

Dyson

22

LEUENBERGER

Matthew

23

MYERS

David

24

BIRD

Craig

25

MORGAN

Alex

26

HOOKER

Cale

27

REDMAN

Mason

28

BROWN

Mitch

29

AMBROSE

Patrick

30

LANGFORD

Kyle

32

COLYER

Travis

33

LAVERDE

Jayden

34

LONG

Jake

35

EADES

Yestin

36

HARTLEY

Michael

37

CLARKE

Dylan

38

DRAPER

Sam

39

HOCKING

Heath

40

HOWLETT

Ben

41

McNIECE

Ben

43

McDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI

Anthony

44

McKERNAN

Shaun

45

McKENNA

Conor

47

KELLY

James

49

DEA

Matt