I am furiously in favour of our new number allocations.
2 and 4 are storied numbers in our history. Ask the question, if not he, who?
We clearly have great faith in Cowan, and Ollie Hollands is going to be a star, more so than most on here seem to realise.
Who else was taking 2 or 4? Orazio, a three club player attempting to resurrect his career on minimum chips? Elijah who had a 3 year deal commuted to a single season on a virtual probation? One of the new kids? Late first to second round and rookies, may turn out great. Ashton had a fall from grace pre draft and has to double down in his dedication to realise his monumental potential. I love that he has taken the iconic #43, it is a great fit.
We have a very unique list dynamic at the club. We have ten core players who will be 28 plus at the start of 2024. They arguably have 1-5 years left in their careers, most arguably on the high side of that figure. (Martin if endures an injury punctuated year is the only one who is a realistic chance to depart at the end of next season)
We already have the nucleus of our “next generation” team. In five years, we have Walsh, Cerra, De Koning, Hollands(x2) Kemp, Cowan, Motlop, Durdin, Cottrell, Binns, Moir, with plenty of hope for Wilson, Lemmey, O’Keeffe, Carroll(x2), as well as Mirkov and Akuei in that bracket in need of big years. Add to the fact Curnow, McKay, Weitering, Kennedy, Silvagni, and other proven best 22 capable Owies, Cincotta, Boyd, Young, Marchbank, Cuningham and Fogarty are all sub 32 in that time.
Just quietly a pair of Camporeale boys followed two years later by (IMO) an even better projecting Cody Walker (and his little brother a little later) aren’t going to do us any harm.
We are on the cusp of a dynasty! I love the projected next generation of leaders assuming the prominent spots in the locker room.
