Promising Crow Riley Knight will wear a new number in 2016, taking over locker No.3.
Knight, who made his AFL debut this year, moves out of No.39 which he wore in 11 AFL games.
The No.3 became vacant for the first time since 2008 following the retirement of veteran Brent Reilly. Reilly, who started his AFL career in the No.33 jumper, played 110 of his 203 games in No.3.
Knight, 20, was humbled when Reilly approached him about taking over the No.3.
“Radar (Reilly) has been a huge mentor for me since I’ve been at the Club,” Knight said.
“He’s taught me a lot both on and off the field, so when he asked me if I wanted to wear his number next year I was very honoured.
“It actually took me a while to decide whether or not to take on the jumper given that it belonged to such a successful and respected player before me, but in the end I was very honoured to accept it.”
Reilly said he’d been impressed by the exciting half-forward in his two years at Adelaide.
“Riley is a good kid, who likes to work hard to get better,” Reilly said.
“I’m rapt that he’ll be wearing the No.3 next year.”
A Life Member of the Adelaide Football Club, Reilly is one of two players with his name on the locker. The other is, of course, two-time premiership player and Life Member Darren Jarman, who played 121 games for the Club between 1996 and 2001.
Defender Kris Massie wore No.3 for six seasons (2003 – 2008), playing 88 games for the Crows after crossing from Carlton, where he played another 43 matches.
Only two other players have worn the No.3 in a premiership season game for Adelaide. Darel Hart was its original owner followed by Stephen Rowe, who also donned the No.31.