RICHMOND has made good on its intention to give all new players a high playing number, with even its first draft pick and No.3 selection overall Dustin Martin to begin his career well into the double digits.

New coach Damien Hardwick made the determination last month that the club would force the Tiger cubs to earn their stripes, reviving an old Tigers policy.

As a result, the club has assigned Martin the 36 guernsey. Second pick Ben Griffiths will wear number 38, David Astbury 39, Matt Dea 43, Troy Taylor 44, Jeromey Webberley 46 and Ben Nason 47.

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.

The 17 was made famous by club legend Jack 'Captain Blood' Dyer, who wore it in 312 games including two premierships.

Current skipper Chris Newman's No.1 guernsey will also remain unfilled as he carries on the skipper's tradition of number 17.

However, several players have changed guernsey numbers for the 2010 season.

Daniel Connors has moved 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) all chose to do.