GEELONG'S first selection at the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, Brandan Parfitt, was in shock when told he would wear the Cats No.3 jumper made famous by recently retired Jimmy Bartel.
Parfitt, who the Cats selected with pick No.26 last Friday night, said he could scarcely believe the honour.
"It was definitely one of those pinch-yourself moments," Parfitt said.
"He is obviously a legend of the game and I'll definitely be wearing the number with pride."
Growing up in Darwin, Parfitt became the youngest winner of Nightcliff's best and fairest when won the award as a 16-year-old in 2015.
He soon moved south to play with North Adelaide and was, as luck would have it, standing at close quarters to new Sydney Swans rookie Toby Pink when he kicked a match-winning point for Glenelg in the SANFL Under-18s grand final.
The footage went viral as the football bounced past about 11 North Adelaide players to go through for a behind.
Luckily Parfitt wasn't near where the ball bounced.
"I was sort of around the mark trying to get in his ear, but obviously it didn't work," Parfitt said.
Parfitt was part of the AFL Academy in 2016 after being named All Australian as a bottom-aged player in 2015.
He battled groin injuries early in the season but overcame them to play under-18s and reserves at North Adelaide by season's end.
Friends with Nakia Cockatoo, he also knows Steven Motlop well and expects the transition to be easier with those two Darwin players nearby.
His competitive attitude shines through when asked whether he is quicker than Cockatoo.
"I don't know, probably not. Nakia might win it, but I would not back down," Parfitt said.
Now he is on a list with the famous Bartel number (Mark Bairstow and Fred Wooller were handy No.3s for the Cats too) on his back he hopes he can prove his worth.
As to whether he plays round one, much needs to happen between now and then.
"If I have a really good pre-season, hopefully, but I just want to learn and get fitter and stronger."
Geelong's draftees get together at Simonds Stadium. Picture: AFL Photos
In other jumper news, Carlton recruit Zach Tuohy will wear No.2, former Geelong VFL defender Tom Stewart will take over the famous No.44 worn by club games record holder Corey Enright for the past 17 seasons, and Aaron Black will have No.23.
Esava Ratugolea will take 17, Quinton Narkle will wear 19, Timm House has been given 30 and Ryan Abbott No.45.
Rookies' numbers include Jack Henry (38) Zach Guthrie (39) and Jamaine Jones (41).
Category B rookie Mark O’Connor will wear No.42, the same number fellow Irishman Padraig Lucey wore for his for two seasons.
Father/son rookie selection Sam Simpson is overseas and will have his number allocated on his return in the coming weeks.
