Tom Hawkins’ famous number 26 looks set to be put in mothballs for 12 months following the release of the majority of Geelong’s player numbers for 2025.
Unless former Carlton forward Jack Martin takes the number, which is believed to be highly unlikely, Hawkins will be afforded the same courtesy as great mate and fellow Cats icon Joel Selwood in having his number taken out of circulation for a year.
Hawkins wore the 26 on a Geelong games record 359 occasions, while his father Jack made 182 appearances in the number.
Boom recruit Bailey Smith has been allocated the No.3 previously worn by Brandan Parfitt.
While not in the same stratosphere as the No.5 at Geelong, it challenges for the podium among the most revered numbers at the club.
Brownlow medalist Jimmy Bartel, 1963 premiership captain Fred Wooller, former captain Mark Bairstow, and the youngest Cat on debut, Ken Newland, are all former owners.
Zach Tuohy’s No.2 belongs to the Cats’ first draft selection, Jay Polkinghorne, while fellow 2022 premiership player Gary Rohan’s 23 is in the hands of Lenny Hofmann.
After a year out of circulation, numbers 25 and 27 are back, to be worn by rookie duo Xavier Ivisic and Patrick Retschko, respectively.
After Joe Furphy had No.37 for a season, the number now belongs to Joe Pike, while Category B rookie Cillian Burke has fellow Irishman Mark O’Connor as a locker mate after taking No.41.
X: @krockfootball
NEW NUMBERS CONFIRMED (former wearer)
2 – Jay Polkinghorne (Zach Tuohy)
3 – Bailey Smith (Brandan Parfitt)
20 – Jacob Molier (James Willis)
23 – Lenny Hofmann (Gary Rohan)
25 – Xavier Ivisic (vacant – Flynn Kroeger 2023)
27 – Patrick Retschko (vacant – Sam Menegola 2023)
31 – Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Oscar Murdoch)
37 – Joe Pike (Joe Furphy)
41 – Cillian Burke (Mitch Hardie)
TBC – Jack Martin
