Footy’s greatest number: What is the best number in Hawthorn’s history?

HAWTHORN has had some famous jumper numbers over the years, but which one tops them all? CAST YOUR VOTE

27/09/2008 SPORT: 2008 Grand Final. Hawthorn v Geelong. MCG. Shane Crawford kisses the medal on the stage.

AS we continue to make our way through each AFL club, today we look at the Hawks and their greatest-ever jumper numbers. Does one stand head and shoulders above the rest?

GLENN’S 10 — WHEN COACHES CROSS THE LINE

FANS NUMBER — WHO’S THE GREATEST NO.11 OF ALL TIME?

2 — Graham Arthur, Chris Mew, Jarryd Roughead, Geoff Ablett, Bob Keddie, Nick Holland

Another famous number at Hawthorn, with the club’s first premiership skipper Graham Arthur wearing it for the bulk of his career and Jarryd Roughead still making it one of the most popular at the club. Arthur was captain of the Hawks’ team of the century, while Chris Mew was centre-half-back in the side.

Jarryd Roughead is one of the Hawks’ great number twos. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

3 — Leigh Matthews, Jordan Lewis, Anthony Condon

Leigh Matthews was voted by the Herald Sun as the greatest footballer of the 20th century and he wore the No.3 in 14 of his 17 VFL seasons. He played in four premierships and won four best-and-fairests. Both Anthony Condon and Jordan Lewis also wore the No.3 in two Hawthorn premierships, with Lewis still serving the number with distinction.

Has there been a better No.3 than Leigh Matthews? Silly question.

5 — Peter Crimmins, Sam Mitchell, Alec Albiston, Daniel Harford

While No.23 might be the most popular, and many would suggest the greatest, there is little doubt No.5 is the most revered. That’s because of the loss of Peter Crimmins from cancer in the days after the 1976 premiership. The number was retired for a period before being restored in 1995 when it became clear Crimmins’ sons would not play for the club. Daniel Harford took it on after that. San Mitchell is still dominating in the No.5, having won four best-and-fairests in the jumper. One of Hawthorn’s early stars, Alec Albiston, won two B&Fs and was the first Hawk to kick 10 or more goals.

Hawthorn's Peter Crimmins is a revered figure at the club, with the best and fairest named in his honour.

9 — Col Austen, Brendan Edwards, Robert DiPierdomenico, Shane Crawford

Hawthorn has won four Brownlow Medals and three of them have worn the No.9 jumper. Col Austen had to wait for his retrospective Medal, but Robert DiPierdomenico and Shane Crawford won their Brownlows on the night of the count. And Brendan Edwards was a footballer ahead of his time, bringing a new level of aerobic fitness to the game as well as being the best player in the 1961 Grand Final.

19 — Jason Dunstall, Ben Dixon, Ted Pool, Jack Gunston

No footballer in the history of the game has kicked more goals in the one jumper than Jason Dunstall. He booted 1254 goals from his 269 games. Ben Dixon and Ted Pool were 200-game players from different eras and Jack Gunston is building his own tradition in the No.19.

Jason Dunstall knew how to kick a goal.

23 — John Peck, Don Scott, Dermott Brereton, Lance Franklin

Twenty-seven players have worn the No.23 Hawthorn jumper, and four of them have been legitimate stars of the club. One of them, premiership skipper Don Scott, reckons most have been “left of centre” characters. John Peck gave the number currency in the 1950s-60s before he handed it over to Scott. Then Dermott Brereton ditched the No.47 to make his name in No.23 and Lance Franklin gave it a modern perspective before departing the Hawks after last year’s flag.

DENCH, BUDDY AND DERM HEADLINE NO.23 GREATS

Dermott Brereton made his name as a Hawk before brief stints at two other clubs.

24 — Peter Knights, Chris Langford, Trent Croad

Peter Knights was a Hawthorn team of the century defender, while Chris Langford was named on the bench in that side. Both were stars of the game. And Trent Croad ended up being a premiership player for the Hawks after a career punctuated by a short stint at Fremantle.