RICHMOND'S draftees will be forced to earn their stripes by being given high guernsey numbers under the new Damien Hardwick regime.

The Tigers will leave 4, 7, 11 and 12 vacant as they assess who is worthy of wearing some of the club's most recognisable guernseys.

The allocation system is a lapsed tradition at Richmond, with players such as the great Royce Hart starting in 42 before moving to the familiar 4.

Dale Weightman began in 43 before taking 3, while current assistant coach Wayne Campbell wore three numbers in his 297-game career, changing from 46 to 9 before wearing 17 as captain.

Seventeen was worn by club legend Jack 'Captain Blood' Dyer for 312 games, including two premierships.

Current skipper Chris Newman's No.1 guernsey will also remain unfilled as he carries Dyer's 17.

However, several players will be changing guernsey numbers for 2010 to free up some higher ones.

Daniel Connors will move from 39 to 19, Andrew Collins from 42 to 24, Robin Nahas from 38 to 26, Jake King from 46 to 28 and Andrew Browne from 43 to 34.

Players with more than 50 games and four years' experience were permitted to keep their number if they desired, which Nathan Foley (41), Kelvin Moore (40) and Matthew White (35) chose to do.

No.4 is the only guernsey to have been worn in all 10 Richmond premiership sides, 7 belonged to current Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse and champion wingman Wayne Walsh, whereas 11 was the jumper worn by Joel Bowden, his father Michael and the club's last premiership captain, Bruce Monteath.

Twelve was, of course, worn by Matthew Richardson until his retirement last week, but it also adorned the back of the club's greatest goalkicker, Jack 'Skinny' Titus.

Titus (970 goals) and Richardson (800) have kicked a massive 1770 goals in the guernsey.