CARLTON'S Michael Jamison put in another near faultless display in round 10 that has had many experts demanding him an All Australian jumper.

While most people are talking about his aerial strength and tight checking, I’m more interested in the fact that he wears the relatively uncommon No.40 on his back. He is not the first good player to wear a number in the 40s and what follows is a list of the 13 best.

Note: the rules of engagement for this list is that it only takes into a account a player's record while wearing a jumper in the 40s. For example, Tony Lockett ended up in the 46 jumper but he played his great football in 14 and 4.

1. Anthony Koutoufides  - Carlton, 1992-2007, 278 games. No. 43.
Given this week's list was inspired by a Carlton player and has been dominated by Blues, it is only fitting that it should be topped by a Carlton champ. From very early in his career 'Kouta' was described as the prototype of the perfect modern footballer. At 190cm he was the height of many ruckmen that had played before him but he had the agility and speed of a lithe wingman.

Koutoufides played in almost every position and excelled in them all, though his best football was as an onballer where he could use his athleticism to greatest advantage.

2. John Platten - Hawthorn, 1986-97, 258 games. No.44.
'The Rat', as Platten was known, came to Victoria with a big reputation having been the subject of a fierce battle between Hawthorn and Carlton to gain his services. He was a rover in the truest sense, tirelessly working to be at the foot of every ruck and marking contest and once there, used his great judgment and skill to invariably win the clearance for Hawthorn.

A Brownlow Medal in 1987 and two best and fairest awards with the powerful Hawks are the individual spoils of a career of one of the finest rovers ever to pull on a boot.

3. Darren Millane - Collingwood, 1984 -91, 147 games. No.42.
Darren Millane was only 26 when he was tragically killed in a car accident in October of 1991 and at the peak of his footballing powers.

He had established himself as a fierce warrior who would run through a brick wall for teammate and club. His inspirational deeds in playing through the 1990 finals with a broken thumb have become the stuff of legend. Since his passing, Collingwood has not issued the famous No.42 to another player, though there is talk that the number made famous by the great wingman is set to make a return in 2012.

4. Robert Walls - Carlton 1967 - 78, 216 games. No.42.
Recruited to Carlton as a pencil thin youngster in 1967, Walls made his AFL/VFL debut at the age of just 16. He would add strength and some size to his frame but would remain athletic enough to take advantage of any backman not mobile keep up with the athletic centre half-forward.

Walls had an excellent finals record, and was a star in the 1972 Grand Final win over Richmond, kicking six goals in his side's famous total of 28. Walls gave Fitzroy three years of fine service at the end of his career, but as it was in the No.9 guernsey it's of no consequence to this list!

5. Ian Nankervis - Geelong , 1967-83, 325 games. No. 40.
Not particularly strong or quick, Nankervis' fine career can be put down to his great judgment, honed as a rover in the early part of time with Geelong and ultimately perfected in the back pocket.

It was as a backman that he won three best and fairest wards and gained selection for Victoria 11 times. Nankervis was also a fine leader who skippered the Cats for five seasons.

6. David McKay - Carlton, 1969-81, 263 games. No. 43.
Before 'Kouta' made the No.43 famous at the Blues, there was David 'Swan' McKay. McKay was a key position player who was comfortable at either end of the ground with high-marking a feature of a great all-round game. He was also a durable type who played in four premierships over a period spanning 12 seasons.

7. Nigel Lappin - Brisbane 1994-2008, 279 games. No.44.
Nigel Lappin was a star during Brisbane's golden era that saw the club win three consecutive premierships between 2001 and 2003. He was the perfect foil for midfield stars Michael Voss and Simon Black with his ability to run, carry and deliver. Despite having all the attributes that makes for a star outside player, Lappin could also win his own ball and stop an opponent if required.

8. Justin Madden - Essendon 1980-82, 45 games. No.44. Carlton 1983-96, 287 games. No.44.
'Harry' Madden was a towering ruckman who saw his chances restricted at Essendon because of his brother Simon, thus moving to Carlton where he would go on to be a dual premiership player.

When he arrived at Carlton he was thought of as an effective winner of tap outs and not much more, but Madden would develop into a fine follower who would win plenty of his own ball. So good did Justin become that in 1985 he was just pipped for the Brownlow Medal, going down to Brad Hardie by one vote.

9. Corey Enright - Geelong 2001- present, 207 games. No.44.
From his first season at Geelong where he was named best first year player, Enright has been a star footballer quietly going about his work. Ever reliable, he has been named an All Australian for the past three years during which time he has also been a member of Geelong's two premiership sides.

10. Richard Osborne - Fitzroy, 1982-92, 187 games. No.44. Sydney 1993, 16 games. No.44. Footscray 1994-96, 51 games. No.44. Collingwood 1997-98, 29 games. No.44.
Osborne was a star goalkicker who was equally effective playing as an elusive half-forward flanker or as leading full-forward playing out of the goalsquare. Osborne played for Victoria seven times during the state-of-origin era and led the goalkicking on five occasions with the Lions and once with the Bulldogs. We love him on this list because - although not always loyal to his club - he was always loyal to the No.44, taking it with him wherever he went.

11. Cameron Ling - Geelong 2000-present, 231 games. No.45.
Ling is a much loved local boy who fought to make it into the senior side at Geelong but has gone on to enjoy premiership success and lead the club. He played in various positions around the grounds before making his name as a run-with player who could quickly turn into an attacking weapon when his team had the ball.

Time spent as a full-forward in his junior days has made him particularly dangerous in the forward line where he can punish teams both in the air or off the ground.

12. David Wirrpanda - West Coast 1996-2009, 227 games. No.44
Over the years countless indigenous footballers have made the journey over the Nullabor to play VFL/AFL football and while nearly all of them made the journey form WA to Victoria, David Wirrpanda headed the other way, leaving his home in Healesville to play with the Eagles.

He was a beautiful mover and reader of the play who overcame a late-season injury to be part of his club's 2006 premiership side.

13. Stephen Milne- St. Kilda 2001-present, 222 games. No.44.
Once voted the most hated footballer in the AFL by opposition fans, Milne is loved by those who matter the most, St Kilda.

Milne is a classic small forward who uses lightning quick footwork to beguile his opponent. His 453 career goals at an average of more than two per game is tribute to a player who has mastered one of the toughest positions on the field.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.