# 4

Mooksy · Post: # 731178Post **Mooksy** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 8:51pm

I realise this is far from our most pressing issue but does anyone have a theory or the real story as to why we haven't had someone in this number for the last couple of years?

Otiman · Post: # 731186Post **Otiman** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 9:15pm

Theory: Waiting for someone worthy enough to take it.

skeptic · Post: # 731205Post **skeptic** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 9:48pm

i stole the jumper

TriColourDisciple · Mon 27 Apr 2009 9:48pm

It was given to Joel Smith in the mid 90s without him being 'worthy' of it. He was just a kid.
Why is it now considered the holy grail of Saints guernseys?
I mean, Andrew Thompson was good, but he wasn't THAT good.

Legendary · Post: # 731209Post **Legendary** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 9:55pm

Give it to Geary or one of the youngsters.

Players make a jumper special, not the other way around.

perfectionist · Mon 27 Apr 2009 10:01pm

TriColourDisciple wrote:It was given to Joel Smith in the mid 90s without him being 'worthy' of it. He was just a kid.
Why is it now considered the holy grail of Saints guernseys?
I mean, Andrew Thompson was good, but he wasn't THAT good.

I disagree. Joel Smith was a most worthy wearer as was Andrew Thompson. The club should tell us why it has not been allocated.

saint3d · Post: # 731221Post **saint3d** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 10:11pm

Give it to CJ.

Mr Magic · Post: # 731260Post **Mr Magic** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 11:29pm

I seem to recall a story doing the rounds that it was offered to Luke Ball but he declined, preferring to stay with #14?

stinger · Post: # 731264Post **stinger** » Mon 27 Apr 2009 11:54pm

the number worn by the doc, plugger and thommo.......yeah...it's special....

cowboy18 · Post: # 731272Post **cowboy18** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 12:40am

Something to do with the Mayan calendar?

Bernard Shakey · Tue 28 Apr 2009 12:43am

It's just a number!

vacuous space · Tue 28 Apr 2009 1:04am

cowboy18 wrote:Something to do with the Mayan calendar?

Was it the Mayans who prophesised that the world would come to an end with a team in West Sydney?

mr six o'clock · Tue 28 Apr 2009 1:50am

Maybe no one wants it?

saint66au · Post: # 731310Post **saint66au** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 9:21am

As stinger said..No 4 has been worn by some true legends of our Club..and I for one am very glad that theyve held off handing it over until someone truly deserves it....and frankly after 2008 none of our young uns did

Our "most improved player" award last year was won by Raph..who'd been dropped at least once during the year and really only came good in Round 20-21. Was very slim pickings apart from that.

If our current form continues, either Geary or Gilbert would be worthy recipients...and who knows even Raph might like the symmetry of having the number next to his brothers if his good form continues when he gets back out on the park.

As for players not wanting to "upgrade"..Roo knocked back No 1 after the 2006 season when Frankie Peckett retired.

bergholt · Post: # 731315Post **bergholt** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 9:31am

It should have gone to Gilbert two years ago, or CJ at the end of last year - not sure why they're so squeamish about giving away single digit numbers.

Why is number 9 empty as well? I love the big ugly mug, but he's not the sort who has his jumper number retired. At the end of this year, push down Eddy, Geary, CJ, hopefully. All the rest are probably too ensconced in their place now to move, although if Ray keeps up his good form he could go back down to single figures.

ThePunter · Post: # 731317Post **ThePunter** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 9:53am

I think you'll find Raph will jump on 8 as soon as Max retires. Remember him making some comments about really wanting that number when he was first drafted.

Armoooo · Post: # 731405Post **Armoooo** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 2:59pm

Yeah 4 and 9 have had enough of a break after this season, IMO Geary and CJ can take them... 35 however still needs a couple more years off, it's been through a lot in the last 20 years

bozza1980 · Post: # 731497Post **bozza1980** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 5:42pm

perfectionist wrote:
TriColourDisciple wrote:It was given to Joel Smith in the mid 90s without him being 'worthy' of it. He was just a kid.
Why is it now considered the holy grail of Saints guernseys?
I mean, Andrew Thompson was good, but he wasn't THAT good.
I disagree. Joel Smith was a most worthy wearer as was Andrew Thompson. The club should tell us why it has not been allocated.

Joel Smith became a worthy wearer of the jumper, but when it was given to him he was just a kid who had not played AFL footy.

At the end of the day, I think it should just be allocated like any other number.

Spinner · Post: # 731501Post **Spinner** » Tue 28 Apr 2009 5:45pm

Give 35 to the first player drafted next year....

Its not a number you want to force players to wear only because of its history....therefore, too much of a ask to hand it down as were the #23 and #3.....

4 - Geary

9 - Lynch

Done and dusted.

avid · Post: # 731723Post **avid** » Wed 29 Apr 2009 1:05am

I've been hoping that Luke Ball would step into #4 -- from 14 just like Plugger did. As a genuine leader and legend.
I take the history of our numbers probably way too seriously, and emotionally. I hate seeing a non-deserver in one of our great numbers. I'm even upset at seeing small players in No 10, or 2 or 31, which traditionally have been our rucks (for some unknown, but uncanny reason.)
No 3 is Ross Smith, Bruce Duperousel, and then Burkey, so X is all right there (if he could only perform a bit better).
1, 5, 8 and 18 seem to have special significance. And now of course 35. 29 is a weird number, with almost everyone who's worn it over the last twenty years graduating to a single digit. Hopefully Lynchy can continue the 'tradition'. Graduate him straight to 9, when he's good enough.

saint66au · Post: # 731743Post **saint66au** » Wed 29 Apr 2009 9:47am

Michael Roberts wore #10 with distinction..looks ok on lil blokes for mine

No 1? Stephen Newport didnt really di it any justice IMO and I'm very glad the Club is now neing more careful with who gets it

#35?? No way should it go to a first year draft pick. Can you imagine how much pressure the poor kid would cop from the media in his first game?

I reckon Zac would slide nicely into #8 if his form continues, he stays elevated and Max does retire at years end. Lovely bit of symmetry and I reckon he'd feel unbeatable in it

HarveysDeciple · Wed 29 Apr 2009 1:01pm

TriColourDisciple wrote:It was given to Joel Smith in the mid 90s without him being 'worthy' of it. He was just a kid.
Why is it now considered the holy grail of Saints guernseys?
I mean, Andrew Thompson was good, but he wasn't THAT good.

Agree on Smith.

Thompson was a 200 game player who won a best and fairest and captained the side so was probably worthy.

Smith was a kid with potential....if we could do it then, surely now they could.

Ghost Like · Post: # 731791Post **Ghost Like** » Wed 29 Apr 2009 1:05pm

Spinner wrote:Give 35 to the first player drafted next year....

Its not a number you want to force players to wear only because of its history....therefore, too much of a ask to hand it down as were the #23 and #3.....

4 - Geary

9 - Lynch

Done and dusted.

Agree Spinner.

35 could also go to whichever recruit requests it, that would show a fair degree of confidence and self belief.

Bernard Shakey · Wed 29 Apr 2009 2:37pm

saint66au wrote:Michael Roberts wore #10 with distinction..looks ok on lil blokes for mine

The only reason Michael Roberts got #10 was because his old man won a Brownlow in it.

matrix · Post: # 731826Post **matrix** » Wed 29 Apr 2009 3:07pm

give it to geary next year....if he proves himself this year.........
which so far he has