The famous No. 12 will once again be worn at St Kilda, with Nick Riewoldt formally passing on the number to Max King tonight.
The longest-serving captain in the club’s history, Riewoldt wore the No. 12 throughout his illustrious 336-game career.
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The number was then rested upon his retirement at the end of 2017, however, Riewoldt says King is the perfect player to bring it back.
“I’m thrilled to be passing the number on to Max,” Riewoldt said.
“It’s pretty clear to see that he’s an impressive young man with incredible potential both on and off the field.
“In what has been a pretty tough year for him, he’s tackled his rehab with complete professionalism, and I know the club has been really happy with how he’s been tracking.
“I had a few injuries concerns in my first season. The club was conservative and did the best thing for me long-term, which worked out pretty well in the end.”
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Riewoldt, who has spent the past few months with family in Texas, said it was important to be there in person to present the jumper to Max.
“Presenting him with his first No. 12
King, who grew up a Saints fan idolising Riewoldt, said he couldn’t quite believe it.
“I’ve literally dreamt about this moment for as long as I can remember,” King said.
“To be picked up by the Saints a few weeks ago was incredible, but to be given the jumper by Nick himself is just unimaginable.
“If I can have half the career he had I’ll be happy. I hope I can do Nick, the club and the supporters proud.”
Nick Riewoldt hands the No. 12 to Max King
King wasn’t the only recipient of a new number on the night, with all draftees and freshly traded players receiving digits.
Jack Bytel will wear 23, made famous by Justin Koschitzke and Stewart Loewe, while Matthew Parker, Nick Hind and Robbie Young will have the opportunity to forge their own legacies in 34, 40 and 41 respectively.
Mature-age rookie Callum Wilkie will take the mantle of Stephen Milne’s former number, 44, while Dan Hannebery (10), Dean Kent (25) and Sam Alabakis (45) have settled into their new lockers nicely.
There were also a few changes for existing players, with Nick Coffield, Rowan Marshall and Ben Paton all finding new numbers.
Coffield will assume the No. 1, one of the most significant in the club’s history, with names like Trevor Barker, Justin
Marshall will inherit the No. 19 from the newly retired Sam Gilbert, while Paton will make Coffield’s recently vacated No. 33 his own.
The full St Kilda 2019 playing list is as follows:
1 – Nick Coffield
2 – Jake Carlisle
3 – Jack Steven
4 – Jade Gresham
5 – Shane Savage
6 – Sebastian Ross
7 – Luke Dunstan
8 – Blake Acres
9 – Jack Steele
10 – Dan Hannebery
11 – Hunter Clark
12 – Max King
13 – Jack Lonie
14 – Jarryn Geary
15 – Jack Billings
16 – Jack Newnes
17 – Dylan Roberton
18 – Billy Longer
19 – Rowan Marshall
20 – David Armitage
21 – Ben Long
22 – Nathan Brown
23 – Jack Bytel
24 – Logan Austin
25 – Dean Kent
26 – Josh Battle
27 – Josh Bruce
28 – Tim Membrey
29 – Jimmy Webster
30 – Ed Phillips
31 – Brandon White
32 – Paddy McCartin
33 – Ben Paton
34 – Matthew Parker
35 – Jack Sinclair
36 – Daniel McKenzie
37 – Bailey Rice
38 – Oscar Clavarino
39 – Darragh Joyce
40 – Nick Hind
41 – Robbie Young
42 – Lewis Pierce
44 – Callum Wilkie
45 – Sam Alabakis
46 – Doulton Langlands
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