GREATER Western Sydney draftee Xavier O'Halloran will continue a proud family tradition when he first pulls on his new jumper next year.
O'Halloran, the Giants' third selection and pick 22 overall at last week's NAB AFL draft, will wear the number 33 next season, the same number his late grandfather Ron McCarthy played in for Footscray in the 1950s.
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Like his grandson, McCarthy was an onballer who played 42 games for the Bulldogs in the VFL from 1953-56 and was part of the club's famous premiership-winning side of 1954.
That team led by captain/coach Charlie Sutton and the legendary Ted Whitten, lived in Dogs folklore as the only flag-winners in the club's history until the fairy tale premiership victory of the 2016 outfit.
McCarthy passed away in 1989 so never got to meet his grandson, but O'Halloran told AFL.com.au that his family has made sure he knows plenty about his grandfather's footy career.
He wore the No.33 for the Western Jets in the TAC Cup this year and said he would relish the opportunity to wear it at the highest level.
"It would mean the world to me," he said.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid to be playing in the AFL and to have 33 on my back, knowing that my grandfather wore it in the '54 premiership would be surreal.
"I haven't been able to get my hands on any vision of the game, but I'd love to see it one day so I can keep an eye out for No.33."
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The Giants grabbed gun midfielders with their first three selections at this year's draft and given he was captain of Vic Metro this year, O'Halloran's name was one they were extremely keen to add to their list.
His leadership, along with his outstanding running ability and speed, makes O'Halloran an exciting prospect for GWS, who lost midfielders Dylan Shiel (Essendon), Tom Scully (Hawthorn) and Will Setterfield (Carlton) during the trade period.
The rest of the Giants' recruits were also handed their jumper numbers on Friday, with Jye Caldwell (No.5) taking over from the departed Shiel, and Jackson Hately (No.9) moving into Scully's old locker.
Tommy Sheridan (11), Kieran Briggs (32), Ian Hill (37), Connor Idun (39) and Callum Brown (46) rounded out the changes.
