New Kangaroo draftees receive their numbers

EMERGING North Melbourne midfielder Liam Anthony will wear No.4 next year.

Anthony, who wore No.44 in his debut season pleaded with new coach Brad Scott to take over the guernsey worn by fellow on-baller Daniel Harris until the end of 2009.

Ben Warren will have the locker next door to Anthony after he was awarded the No.5 made famous by Jason McCartney. Warren takes over from Sam Power who was also delisted by the Kangaroos at the end of 2009.

First-round draft pick Ben Cunnington was presented with Anthony Stevens’ famous No.10 on draft night but North Melbourne’s other draftees have been given higher numbers.

Ryan Bastinac will take 28, Aaron Black takes 35, Ayden Kennedy picks up 36, Brayden Norris claims 37 and Jamie MacMillan has accepted 34.

Guernseys 44 and 38 will be allocated to two new players after December’s rookie draft.

Last month the Roos announced that last year’s NAB Rising Star nominee Jack Ziebell would inherit former skipper Adam Simpson’s No.7 guernsey. Sam Wright will take the No.19 guernsey vacated by Ziebell.

Ziebell said he was thrilled by Simpson’s gesture.

"He recognises the young blokes and understands that they don't know everything about AFL football," he said. "He goes out of his way to help us get used to it."