Corey Enright has worn No.44 with distinction for the Cats. Source: News Limited
IN THE AFL era, it has usually worked this way: if you are not one of the gun draft picks, you spend your first few games dragging around a cricket score on your back.
Then, eventually, a lower jumper number becomes available for you to snap up.
That's how it worked with Wayne Carey (No.40 in 1989), Tony Lockett (37 in 1983), James Hird (49 in 1992), Michael Voss (56 in 1992), Robert Harvey (52 in 1988) and Brad Johnson (33 in 1994).
Kieren Jack wore 48 in his first two matches, Robert Murphy spent three games in No.22, while Jack Steven made his debut in No.34.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE JUMPER NUMBER? JOIN THE DEBATE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #FANSNUMBER
But there are some players who are part of the countermovement: those who were handed a high number and kept it throughout a storied career.
And of that phenomenon, there is no greater example than the No.44.
Consider a centre square combination of Justin Madden, Nigel Lappin, John Platten and Andrew Carrazzo. Premiership players Corey Enright, David Wirrpanda, Peter Caven and Shane Kerrison to mop up in the backline, and sharpshooters Stephen Milne and Richard Osborne (each with 574 career goals) slotting them through up forward.
With scope to include handy footballers such as Tom Bellchambers, Shannon Motlop and Tom Logan in the team.
It is the highest number to have saluted on Brownlow night, and has been worn in 111 of the past 200 premiership teams.
John Platten was a star for Hawthorn in No.44. Source: News Limited
Perhaps the most curious moment involving the No.44 came in North Melbourne's breakthrough premiership in 1975.
Champion rover Barry Cable, who had worn the No.9 in his previous 64 appearances for the Kangaroos, suddenly ran out on Grand Final day sporting the No.44.
"For some reason the club gave us our jumpers to take home,'' Cable recalled. "I can't remember why, it might have been for us to wash them and save a bit of money (it was actually a "duty of care'' initiative which demanded that the North players be responsible for their own gear).
"I was very particular about packing my gear. I put in my shorts, my socks. My boots were polished. When I got to the ground I unzipped the bag and started to get into my gear. No jumper.''
Stephen Milne wore No.44 for 275 games with St Kilda. Source: News Limited
Cable said he tried to contact friends to bring the jumper from his Coburg home to the MCG, and contemplated sending a taxi to fetch it, but in the end he ran out of time.
"I said to the property steward, 'What else have you got?'. He handed me a No.44 and I said, 'That'll do'. It fitted OK.''
Cable said his teammates looked at him with puzzled faces, while the Hawthorn players thought it was part of some elaborate subterfuge dreamt up by supercoach Ron Barassi.
The bottom line is that Cable had a game-high 21 disposals and kicked two goals … and the No.44 was part of a historic premiership.
Brisbane's No.44 Nigel Lappin was a key part of the "fab four" triple-premiership midfield. Source: News Limited
Richard Osborne wore No.44 at Fitzroy, Footscray and Collingwood. Source: News Corp Australia
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