Emerging Western Bulldogs defender Lewis Young given Bob Murphy’s No.2 jumper

HE turned heads with an impressive Round 17 debut, making himself a fixture in the Western Bulldogs’ defence for the rest of the season and Lewis Young’s reward is a club icon’s guernsey number.

A SKINNY long-sleeved defender wearing No.2 for the Western Bulldogs. Sound familiar?

Bob Murphy’s iconic jumper number has been handed to his rapidly emerging former teammate, Lewis Young.

Young rocketed to notoriety in Round 17 last season when his 21-disposal, nine-mark game against Carlton earned rave reviews.

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Young Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley and Lewis Young show off their famous new guernseys. Picture: Jay Town

This is what you call ‘passing the torch’: Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd after their last game for the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

The youngest player in the competition this year, Young went on to play the last seven consecutive games, impressing with his composure, confidence and awareness.

Young yesterday donned his new No.2 at the Whitten Oval beside Josh Dunkley, who has inherited Matthew Boyd’s No.5.

“It’s an honour to take over from Bob, who has been such a trademark player for this club for such a long time,” Young told the Herald Sun.

“’Bevo’ (coach Luke Beveridge) rang me the day before pre-season started and said: ‘The No.2 is up for grabs and we’d love you to wear it’. It was terrific to be asked by the coach.

“I’m not sure I was surprised, but I was actually quite proud of myself that I had got to a point where they would offer me that number. I was more humbled.”

Young only scraped into last year’s national draft by 11 days, with the Dogs plucking him with pick 49. He doesn’t turn 19 until later this month.

Despite being made to wait for his AFL debut, the next six games came quickly, something Young said had given him a huge lift coming into his season pre-season.

“It’s massive for me. Knowing the coaches had faith to play me in all seven of those games and being able to perform and stand up at that level was a massive confidence booster,” he said.

What, you want Bob’s No.2? Picture: Mark Stewart

OK, you can have it, Lewis. Picture: Michael Klein

“You put it into this pre-season and you almost walk a little bit taller, just knowing you can match it with these guys.”

He said taking one of the Dogs’ most famous numbers of the modern era wouldn’t add pressure

“I think all that comes externally. There may be fans who see me as the next Bob Murphy, but in many ways it is just a number,” Young said.

“It’s an honour to take it from Bob, but it’s more about playing good footy in the red, white and blue than what number you’ve got on your back.

“The pre-season has been really good so far, the coaches are happy, everyone is in good shape and a quick bounce back is hopefully on the cards.”