The five new Brisbane Lions acquisitions from Trade Week and the 2010 NAB AFL Draft have been assigned their new guernsey numbers for Season 2011.
The Lions' first round selection (Pick No.5 overall) Jared Polec will wear the number 4 guernsey made available following the departure of Travis Johnstone.
Polec was recruited from Woodville-West Torrens in South Australia. He is a strong and skilled midfielder who won All-Australian honours at the 2010 NAB AFL U18 Championships.
Patrick Karnezis (Pick No.25) has taken Troy Selwood's number 28, while Ryan Lester (Pick No.28) will start his career at the Lions in the number 35 which was previously worn by Michael Rischitelli.
Both Karnezis and Lester come to the Lions from the Oakleigh Chargers in Victoria. Karnezis impressed the Lions' recruiting staff with his ground level skills and strength, while Lester will bring speed and versatility to the Lions 2011 list.
Tasmanian Josh Green (Pick No.32), a quick midfielder with great marking and kicking abilities, will occupy guernsey number 42 which became vacant when Irishman Pearce Hanley opted to wear the number 11 guernsey most recently worn by Justin Sherman. The number 11 guernsey was made famous by former Fitzroy, Bears and Brisbane Lions champion Alastair Lynch who played 306 matches wearing that number for the Club.
Former Rookie Claye Beams, who was elevated to the senior list for 2011, has also been allocated a new number. He will now wear the number 17 guernsey following the departure of its former owner Jared Brennan.
Rohan Bewick, the Club's sole addition from Trade Week, will take over Beams' old number 43 - also previously worn by Lions Premiership player and current Assistant Coach Beau McDonald.
Summary - new guernsey numbers:
Jared Polec - 4
Patrick Karnezis - 28
Ryan Lester - 35
Josh Green - 42
Rohan Bewick - 43
Summary - guernsey number changes:
Pearce Hanley - 11 (formerly 42)
Claye Beams - 17 (formerly 43)
Lions assigned new guernsey numbers
The five new Brisbane Lions acquisitions from Trade Week and the 2010 NAB AFL Draft have been assigned their new guernsey numbers for Season 2011.