BOOM Sydney Swans recruit Isaac Heeney will wear the number previously worn by his hero Ryan O'Keefe in 2015.

 

Heeney has taken over the Swans' No.5 jumper from O'Keefe following the dual premiership player's retirement at the end of 2014.

 

The Swans Academy recruit was taken by the club with its first pick – No.18 overall – in the recent NAB AFL Draft.

 

"It's amazing – it's always been my dream number to wear," Heeney told the club's website.

 

"Ryan O'Keefe was always my favourite player, so to have that number is an absolute honour and I'll do my best to have a career like his.

 

"Even if I could achieve just half of what he did in his career, I'd be absolutely stoked."

 

Fellow Academy draftee Abaina Davis will also take the number worn by a Swans premiership player and All Australian.

 

Davis will wear the No.9, following on from Nick Malceski, after the running half-back switched to Gold Coast in the off-season.

 

"I was really happy to try and embrace it rather than shy away from taking on a lower number," Davis said.

 

"I really want to make it my own, but in saying that, obviously following after Mal is going to be a tough thing to do."

 

Rookie draftee Sean McLaren will have equally big shoes to fill, taking over from Lewis Roberts-Thomson in the No.30.

 

Academy selection Jack Hiscox will take over the No.17 from Tommy Walsh, who returned to Ireland at the end of the season, while fellow draftee James Rose moves into the No.1 following Tim Membrey's move to St Kilda.

 

Rookies Nic Newman (28), Lewis Melican (43) and Jordan Foote (45) were also assigned their numbers.