Two & Five

[bornadog]

More numbers announced at 12pm

[Eastdog]

More numbers announced at 12pm

Yes got an club email this morning saying that they will announce more of the numbers today.

[Axe Man]

Emerging Western Bulldogs defender Lewis Young given Bob Murphy’s No.2 jumper

A SKINNY long-sleeved defender wearing No.2 for the Western Bulldogs. Sound familiar?

Bob Murphy’s iconic jumper number has been handed to his rapidly emerging former teammate, Lewis Young.

Young rocketed to notoriety in Round 17 last season when his 21-disposal, nine-mark game against Adelaide earned rave reviews.

The youngest player in the competition this year, Young went on to play the last seven consecutive games, impressing with his composure, confidence and awareness.

Young yesterday donned his new No.2 at the Whitten Oval beside Josh Dunkley, who has inherited Matthew Boyd’s No.5.

“It’s an honour to take over from Bob, who has been such a trademark player for this club for such a long time,” Young told the Herald Sun.

“’Bevo’ (coach Luke Beveridge) rang me the day before pre-season started and said: ‘The No.2 is up for grabs and we’d love you to wear it’. It was terrific to be asked by the coach.

“I’m not sure I was surprised, but I was actually quite proud of myself that I had got to a point where they would offer me that number. I was more humbled.”

Young only scraped into last year’s national draft by 11 days, with the Dogs plucking him with pick 49. He doesn’t turn 19 until later this month.

Despite being made to wait for his AFL debut, the next six games came quickly, something Young said had given him a huge lift coming into his season pre-season.

“It’s massive for me. Knowing the coaches had faith to play me in all seven of those games and being able to perform and stand up at that level was a massive confidence booster,” he said.

“You put it into this pre-season and you almost walk a little bit taller, just knowing you can match it with these guys.”

He said taking one of the Dogs’ most famous numbers of the modern era wouldn’t add pressure

“I think all that comes externally. There may be fans who see me as the next Bob Murphy, but in many ways it is just a number,” Young said.

“It’s an honour to take it from Bob, but it’s more about playing good footy in the red, white and blue than what number you’ve got on your back.

“The pre-season has been really good so far, the coaches are happy, everyone is in good shape and a quick bounce back is hopefully on the cards.”

[Axe Man]

Lewis Young didn't even make the poll!

[bornadog]

Lewis Young didn't even make the poll!

Just goes to show how much us WOOFERS know

[Smads57]

Good luck fellas - looking forward to watching you both run out in your new numbers in season 2018

[bulldogtragic]

Getting such important numbers. I hope they sign 5 year extensions and apply themselves every single second. I'm not up for another player like A. Everitt disrespecting our club and a proud jumper numbers heritage.

[bornadog]

8, 9, 13, 20, 33, 26, 28, 45

All available

[The Bulldogs Bite]

At the end of the day, part of me says they are just numbers.

But at a footy club with rich history, the numbers can take on a bit of a personality themselves.

The club must be very excited by Young's prospects. Dunkley had a down second year but happy enough with him taking on 5.

[Bulldog Joe]

At the end of the day, part of me says they are just numbers.

But at a footy club with rich history, the numbers can take on a bit of a personality themselves.

The club must be very excited by Young's prospects. Dunkley had a down second year but happy enough with him taking on 5.

Bit harsh on Dunks.

He did suffer a shoulder injury early and was unavailable for about 16 weeks.

[westdog54]

8 goes to Trengove

[The Pie Man]

Not a big deal, but I feel a bit funny about a premiership player changing their number. 5 is a good honor at our club though, so well done Dunks....just thought you’d be 20 forever

[Mofra]

8 goes to Trengove

Good.

Had plenty of tough no 8s wear the number, Trengove goes hard.
Had no 8 for Rick Kennedy on my jumper as a kid, add Southern and Hahn as well. Did Bernard Toohey wear no 8 with us? Tough as nails too.

[bornadog]

Number 9 to Crozier

[Bulldog Joe]

Not a big deal, but I feel a bit funny about a premiership player changing their number. 5 is a good honor at our club though, so well done Dunks....just thought you’d be 20 forever

I feel happy having a Bulldog Premiership player able to change his number while still playing for us.

He can now have the chance to be a premiership player with a different number.