The Bombers have finalised the 2020 guernsey numbers for their 10 off-season recruits.
The numbers were unveiled to the Essendon faithful at the Bombers’ Annual General Meeting and Member Forum on Thursday evening at Marvel Stadium.
Following a trade from the Brisbane Lions at the end of the 2019 season, Tom Cutler will don the No.12 guernsey.
2017 Richmond premiership player Jacob Townsend will wear the No.20 jumper, while Harrison Jones - a lifelong Essendon supporter and the Bombers’ first selection in the national draft – inherits No.23.
Having been traded to the Bombers by the Blues in October, Andrew Phillips will wear No.34 in his first year at The Hangar.
Draftees Nick Bryan and Ned Cahill will wear Nos. 24 and 28 respectively, while Lachie Johnson – son of Brisbane Lions legend Chris – will don No.36.
The arrival of Ross McQuillan and Cian McBride has tripled the Bombers’ Irish stocks with the pair set to wear Nos. 39 and 41 respectively.
Former Roo Mitch Hibberd will reignite his AFL career wearing the No.46 guernsey, after the 23-year-old was selected by the club in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
The remainder of the Bombers’ playing list remains unchanged for season 2020.
New numbers
12 – Tom Cutler
20 – Jacob Townsend
23 – Harrison Jones
24 – Nick Bryan
28 – Ned Cahill
34 – Andrew Phillips
36 – Lachie Johnson
39 – Ross McQuillan
41 – Cian McBride
46 – Mitch Hibberd