Essendons Number 5?

Question

Essendon has given James Hirds Number 5 to Bret Stanton, i thought they would retire the number for a year, what are your thoughts

Answer 1

I thought they would have retired it too, being a leader at the club for so many seasons, and a genuine great player.

Surprised that the Number 5 isn't retired

Answer 2

It's only a jumper, for goodness sake, symbolic or not.

If all jumpers were precious when a player retires, then the jumpers would have 3 & 4 numbers spread across the back.

Answer 3

I thought it was the player that mattered, not the jumper. Supporters forget the numbers, but they can usually recall the player and how they played the game, and for how long.