TRIPLE premiership player Steve Johnson will start the second phase of his playing career with a new number at Greater Western Sydney.

The former Geelong star, who won a Norm Smith Medal and three flags at the Cats wearing the No.20, will move three lockers to the left and run out in No.17 at the Giants.

Johnson will take over the jumper from the only man to wear it at GWS – foundation player Adam Treloar – who left the club in the off-season for Collingwood.

A host of players left the Giants in this year's trade period, and with six new faces picked up via the draft and the rookie draft, GWS will roll out 12 players in new jumpers in 2016.

Despite making his name in the number 20, Johnson said he was happy with the number change in Sydney.

"I wasn't going to walk in to the Giants and ask for number 20 which I wore at Geelong," he told the club's website.

"Adam Tomlinson is a really impressive young player so I’m happy to start in a new number at my new club."

Jacob Hopper, the Giants' top pick (No.7 overall) in the NAB AFL Draft, will wear No.2, after previous owner Curtly Hampton was traded to Adelaide.

Fellow GWS academy recruit Matthew Kennedy takes over No.15, which he has worn since he was a junior.