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When it comes to the numbers on players backs, I’m at sixes and sevens. The idea has been thrown about before, but it’s time we scrap the #1-17, and let the players choose a number for themselves that they stick with.
The traditionalists will come out and say “the number represents their position on the field”. But does it?
Does it really matter if Johnathan Thurston is wearing the #7 for his club, or the #6 jersey for Queensland and Australia, when it comes to his role on the field? He could wear the number 3.1415926 on his back, but will would still know where he is playing.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest ‘halves’, not the “greatest #6/#7”. The #9 packs in at #13 at scrums. Second rowers play centre.
Referees call players by their name, not number now, so what’s the use?
When it comes to basketball, you only have to say #23 and it’s synonymous with the G.O.A.T, Shane Heal – sorry I meant Michael Jordan.
Other sports have players known for their numbers as well. #10 in football for Pele/Maradona, #99 in ice hockey for Wayne Gretzky, #2 for Derek Jeter in Baseball, among others. Even in Australia we have #05 in motorsport for Peter Brock, and the #4 for St Kilda/Sydney’s Tony Lockett.
There was some media attention when Michael Clarke wanted to wear the #23 and Shane Warne had to give his blessing.
For me there are only positives for everyone involved.
The players
Their jersey number is the same week in week out. They could play in their junior number, their birthday, their lucky number, the number their father or idol played in.
They could negotiate a clause in their contract to receive a per cent of profits from the sales of their jersey.
It would make them present themselves more to the fans. Promoting themselves means more money in their pockets. They could then use sales figures from their jersey, to earn more in negotiations with clubs.
They could cross promote with other brands, i.e. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves having a ‘Number #8’ Burger at Macca’s. “Lots of Meat, Little nonsense!”
The clubs
Increased revenue from jersey sales. Younger fans may purchase more than one if they have more than one favourite player. They could retire numbers. Newcastle could retire the #7 for Andrew Johns, the #1 or #6 at Brisbane for Darren Lockyer, or down the track Melbourne could retire the #9 or #1 for Cam Smith and Billy Slater.
Down the track they could honour a player who has passed away, by having players wear jerseys just with that number. Baseball do it to honour the first African American to play, and the NRL did it in support of Alex McKinnon last year.
If Thaiday chose a number that was also a Brisbane CBD bus number, the club could then use this as a marketing tool. ‘Jump on the #12 Express’ with Big Slammin’ Sam’s frame posted all over it, again increasing revenue and brand awareness.
The NRL
If players were compensated for the sales of ‘their’ jerseys, their behaviour off the field would impact sales, thus reducing the money in their pockets.
This would hopefully lead to a decrease in player misbehaviour.
The fans
Everyone has a favourite player, past and present. Young fans would love to head to games wearing the same number as their heroes like Matt Moylan, Benji Marshall or Billy Slater, but are reluctant to get numbers on the back, as who knows who will be wearing it next week?
I’m sure some of the older generation would love to still wear their classic jerseys to games, especially if it had a number that resonated with a legendary player.
I hope it’s just a matter of time before this is a reality. But then again, time is just a number.
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