Coach Bombay wrote:Please do not give the number 23 to Charlie Cameron just becuase he is indigenous
the kid doesn't need any unneccesary expectations. Just give it to a deserving player with no regard to his skin colour.
http://www.afc.com.au/news/2014-11-11/t ... ge-numbersYoung trio Charlie Cameron, Mitch Grigg and Kyle Hartigan will wear new numbers in Season 2015.
Cameron, who wore No.42 in seven AFL games this year, will move into the No.23. Grigg will slide down to No.8 while Hartigan will assume No.15.
The No.23 was made famous by two-time premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod. McLeod wore the guernsey in a Club-record 340 games. The jumper was most recently worn by forward Jared Petrenko, who took it over when McLeod retired at the end of 2010. Petrenko spoke to Cameron about moving into No.23 after he departed the Club in October.
After a few unsuccessful attempts, the quietly-spoken Cameron eventually mustered up the courage to ask McLeod about wearing his former number.
“I told Charlie it’s not my jumper to give. I’m not the owner of it. I was just its custodian for a while,” the ever-humble McLeod said.
“I’m pleased that Charlie will be wearing the No.23, but I’d be happy with whoever had it. For me, it’s just nice that guys want to wear it.”
Cameron will become the fourth Crow to wear No.23 following Petrenko, McLeod and original owner Peter McIntyre. The former rookie said he was thrilled to don the number worn by his idol.
“Everyone knows how special this number is. I’m really excited to wear it because Andrew McLeod is one of the greatest players ever,” Cameron said.
“Andrew is really good to me and has helped me out a lot since I got here. I look up to him and what he has achieved on and off the field.”
The No.23 locker at Adelaide had been empty for two years when a young McLeod moved in ahead of the 1995 season. However, the legacy of the No.23 could’ve been very different.
McLeod was originally destined to wear the No.14 at Adelaide – the same number he wore for SANFL club Port Magpies. But he organised a swap with 1995 Club Champion Matt Connell for the No.23, which he wore as a junior in the Northern Territory. His father, Jock, also wore No.23 along with his sporting idol, Michael Jordan.
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 2:35 pm
