After joining Essendon in the 2017 Trade Period, Jake Stringer will wear the number 25 for season 2018 and beyond.
The number comes with great memories for Essendon fans with Premiership Players Roger Merrett and Scott Lucas donning the 25 for a combined 419 games and 619 goals.
Merrett donned the number 25 from 1978 until 1987, including the 1984 and 1985 Premierships, for a total of 149 games.
Lucas more recently wore 25 for his fourteen year career between 1996 till 2009, including the 2000 Premiership.
Lucas played a total of 270 games in 25 and kicked 471 goals as well as being crowned the Crichton Medallist in 2003 and 2006.
Stringer said he was honoured to wear the number 25 for the Bombers.
“Woosha rang me and let me know that I was going to wear 25, and I was pretty excited,” Stringer said.
“Obviously having Roger Merrett and Scotty Lucas wear it before me, it’s always good to go in and understand the long history of great players that have worn the number before you.
“As a player to get your name cemented on the locker with a premiership is a huge honour, and I’ll go out there and make sure I have a good pre-season, and fingers crossed in round one I’m ready to go and can pull on the jumper.”
Lucas said this was an opportunity for Stringer to create his own identity in the number 25 and play some of his best football for the Club.
"It brings back the memories of when you first received yours, for me that was 23 years ago," Lucas said.
"It was a huge honour back then and certainly I think it is now for all players, particularly for first time players.
"They (Saad, Smith and Stringer) have been through it before but it's a welcome to the Essendon Football Club receiving your Guernsey.
"Most numbers have been worn by star players but it's all about forging their own identity in that number, It's about what they can create and contribute to the team.
"I wish him all the best, he has had a challenging couple of years but has played some great football at the bulldogs
"It's a great opportunity for him to come to the Club and play some of his best football and contribute to what could be a really successful future for the Club."
Stringer was traded to Essendon during the 2017 Trade period from the Western Bulldogs for picks 25 and 30, having played 89 games and kicking 160 goals since being drafted at number five in 2012.
