The revered No.31 locker has a custodian for the first time since 2015, with defender Zach Reid taking on the number made famous by Essendon games record holder Dustin Fletcher.

The news comes as the Bombers reveal the guernsey numbers for their eight off-season recruits, while also confirming ruckman Sam Draper’s switch from No.38 to No.2 following the retirement of his mentor Tom Bellchambers.

Talented young midfielder Jye Caldwell, who was secured in the trade period from GWS, will sit between Crichton medallists Devon Smith and Zach Merrett in the locker room after inheriting the No.6 guernsey.

Fellow trade acquisitions Nick Hind and Peter Wright will wear Nos. 19 and 20 respectively.

Top-10 draft picks Nik Cox (No.13) and Archie Perkins (No.16) have been handed their jumper numbers, along with fellow draftees Josh Eyre (No.32) and Cody Brand (No.38).

Brand and Eyre graduated from the club's Next Generation Academy and grew up barracking for Essendon, with Eyre taking on the old number of Bombers greats Tim Watson and Barry Davis.

DRAFT HUB: Get familiar with the Bombers' five draftees

The return of the No.31 guernsey has been long-awaited, with the number last donned by Fletcher in his 400th and final game in round nine, 2015.

Famous No.31 Dustin Fletcher is chaired off in his 400th and final game in round nine, 2015. (Photo: AFL Photos)

Like Fletcher, the 202cm Reid is an athletic, skilful and poised defender, who was taken with the Bombers’ third selection (No.10) overall in last week’s draft.

NEW 2021 GUERNSEY NUMBERS:

2 - Sam Draper
Most games played in number: Mark Mercuri (204), Clyde Donaldson (141), Ricky Dyson (103)

6 - Jye Caldwell
Most games played in number: Sean Wellman (178), Geoff Gosper (167), Angus Monfries (150)

13 - Nik Cox
Most games played in number: Michael Long (141), Darren Williams (98), Fred Gallagher (84)

16 - Archie Perkins
Most games played in number: Paul Barnard (140), Percy Ogden (122), Bruce Anderson (97)

19 - Nick Hind
Most games played in number: David Hille (172), Peter Somerville (156), Jack Cassin (150)

20 - Peter Wright
Most games played in number: Hugh Torney (173), Ted Fordham (128), Joe Hammond (122)

31 - Zach Reid
Most games played in number: Dustin Fletcher (400), Hugh Mitchell (223), Max Crow (126)

32 - Josh Eyre
Most games played in number: Tim Watson (307), Barry Davis (218), Len Webster (145)

38 - Cody Brand
Most games played in number: Sean Denham (142), Peter Bennett (67), Mark Harvey (60)