LUKE McDonald has inherited North Melbourne's No.11 guernsey most famously worn by 'Shinboner of the Century' Glenn Archer.
Michael Firrito wore No.11 after Archer retired at the end of 2007, but after hanging his boots up recently the defender decided McDonald, 21, was the Roo best placed to uphold the revered jumper's values.
McDonald wore No.21 in his first three seasons at Arden St, but had no hesitation when Firrito approached him about switching numbers.
"It was a no-brainer. I was really excited and I just want to put it on and have him (Firrito) watch me," McDonald said.
"I just can't wait to wear it on the field and feel like I have those guys (Firrito and Archer) on my back.
"Two of the biggest Shinboners ever have worn it and that's why I'm really excited to wear it because there is that added pressure I can never shirk a contest ever again.
"When you're a young bloke coming to the club the No.11 is the jumper you want to wear because that pretty much typifies the Shinboner spirit."
The son of 1980s forward/ruckman Donald McDonald, the defender was taken at pick No.8 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft and finished third in the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star award after an outstanding debut season.
McDonald had a tough second season, but bounced back to form in 2016 before a hamstring injury sidelined him for much of the second half of the year.
Firrito, who played 275 games from 2003-16 primarily in defence, said McDonald loomed as the perfect custodian of the No.11 jumper.
"The first thing when 'Arch' gave it to me I thought I never really wanted to duck my head or do anything like that, so I think I've done my part to hold it up and now I'm pretty excited and honoured and I think [Luke] will do it really proud and wear it for 10 years and beyond," Firrito said.
"(Luke) is a real competitor. He hates getting beaten. He gives his best, gives his all.
"That's why I loved playing with him and his teammates love playing with him as well.
"I couldn't think of a better person to wear it. I guess I'll be proud and so will Arch."
Archer played 311 games for North from 1992-2007 and was a key player in the club's 1996 and 1999 premierships.
The defender was widely admired for his fearless attack on contests, his almost reckless courage acknowledged when he was named Shinboner of the Century in 2005 by North's surviving past and present players.
The award recognised the player who most embodied the club's fabled Shinboner spirit during North's first 80 years in the VFL/AFL.
Other players who have worn the No.11 jumper for North include 1975 premiership star John Burns, South Australian great Graham Cornes and Daryl Schimmelbusch.
