3 minute read
Sydney will have a new No.23, taking Lance Franklin's number off the shelf after a year to hand it to young South Australian forward Ned Bowman.
There's Michael Jordan, Shane Warne, Lance Franklin - to name a few - and now Ned Bowman.
Joining the list of star athletes who have worn the famed No.23 across sporting codes is Bowman, a lanky teenager from SANFL club Norwood.
The 18-year-old has been handed the number - made famous at the club by AFL legend Franklin - after being plucked out of South Australia with pick No.26 in this year's draft.
Franklin wore the No.23 jumper across 354 games for Hawthorn and Sydney before calling time on his glittering career last year.
The number was shelved for the 2024 season before Bowman put his hand up.
"They sent out the numbers and I just requested 23," Bowman said.
"I was in a bit of shock. I wasn't expecting them to just give it out.
"I was expecting someone else to come in who's already been in the team."
A simple request has placed Bowman alongside Jordan and David Beckham and, after starring for Norwood with an average of two goals and 12 disposals a game, Bowman is ready to live up to expectations.
"To be in the same sentence as those types of players, it's pretty surreal," Bowman said.
"I like that pressure of having a bit more expectation, and hopefully it just shows a little bit more confidence in myself, which I probably lacked over the few seasons before.
"I'm just happy to wear it and see what happens, and hopefully live up to at least a half of it or even a quarter of what the number represents."
Fellow draftee Riak Andrew will succeed premiership player Sam Reid and wear No.20, while Riley Bice has been given now-North Melbourne player Luke Parker's No.26 jumper.
Sydney's first draft pick Jesse Dattoli, who was taken with selection 22, will wear number 18, while rookies Ben Paton and Blake Leidler will have No.25 and 35 respectively.
"Just honoured to wear that number 20, and hopefully to carry the legacy for years to come," Andrew said.
"I gave (Reid) a call yesterday. I think I caught him by surprise. I don't know if he was expecting it or not.
"He's just sort of like, you know, 'Enjoy the ride. It comes quick'."
Andrew joins the Swans from the Dandenong Stingrays with pick No.22 and is keen to carve a career separate from older brother and rising Gold Coast star Mac.
"I'm happy to have a different club, forge my own path, because growing up being called like Mac Andrew's brother, it's sort of a bit demoralising," Andrew said.
"I'm happy to make my own fresh start, make my own moves and really showcase why this club picked me.
"Give it a couple years and they'll be calling him Riak Andrew's brother, for sure."