Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard says swapping the number 37 for four was an easy choice.
While Maynard become a fan-favourite in the number 37, which he wore 161 times from 2015 to 2022, he chose to take the number four once Brodie Grundy vacated it after being traded to Melbourne.
Maynard says the shift to the smaller number came about as he wore it during his junior years and always told himself he’d take it if the opportunity arose.
“Nah I didn’t have to think about it at all,” Maynard told SEN's The Run Home.
“I’ve loved number four my whole life, it’s my favourite number.
“I’ve always been number four (in juniors) and I always said that if number four ever came up that I’d change into it.
“That’s whether it was four years into my career or 15, however long.
“If I was in the back end of my career I would have gone to it still because it was my dream to play in the number four for Collingwood and it’s happened.
“It was an easy decision, even though I did love 37 - I played a fair few games in it - I’m stoked to be in number four.”
Maynard’s move to a new number also coincides with a new role as he was appointed to the leadership group for the first time as one of Darcy Moore’s vice-captains.
While Maynard was “stoked” to receive the official title, he says the entire Collingwood list is acting like leaders as they hope to do “great things” in 2023.
“I’m officially in the leadership group for the first time which is absolutely amazing, I’m stoked,” Maynard said.
“We had a camp in Lorne at the start of last week … it was voted there, all of the players got to vote and some of the staff as well.
“It was heavily player-based … for Darcy, it’s a huge congratulations for him and he’s best suited to the job, I feel like he’ll do really well going forward.
“We have a group going forward and this year we have a group where everyone is a leader.
“I feel like we can do great things this year.”
Maynard, barring injury, is set to run out in the number four for the first time when Collingwood face Geelong in a Round 1 clash at the MCG on March 17.