HAWTHORN recruit Brian Lake will don guernsey 17 in 2013, a number rich in history at Hawthorn Football Club.

Club Legend and VFL/AFL games record holder Michael Tuck won seven premierships in the guernsey, but Lake admits winning one flag would suit.

“Tuck won seven premierships in number 17 and Paul Hudson won a premiership as well in it,” Lake told hawthornfc.com.au

“Hopefully I can add to that in the next few years.

“After I’ve finished my career, I'd love to get my name up on the board, I’d love to get up there for playing 100 games but if I can get up there for winning a premiership, that’s what we’re here for.”

The experienced full back says it’s an honour to be given the famous number, and can’t wait to pull on the jumper for the first time, representing a Club with a proud history.

“Hawthorn doesn’t give the Guernsey numbers of their Legends to just anyone and it is a great honour to be given number 17,” he said.

“Usually, when you’re new to a club you get given in the 30s or 40s but to come here and get 17, it’s a great honour and I’m really looking forward to just getting out there and pulling on the guernsey.”

At his new club, Lake upgrades his number from 36 to 17, something he is more than happy to do given the history of guernsey 36 at the Club.
In recent years, number 36 has a sorry history.

In 2012, promising youngster Alex Woodward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in guernsey 36 during the NAB Cup, ruling him out for the season.

Even ruckman Max Bailey donned the 36 guernsey, and ruptured two ACLs in his time in the jumper before ditching it for guernsey numbers one and 39.

But Lake admits grabbing the 36 jumper was never his intention when he swapped clubs.

“I’ve had a few people talk to me about the curse of number 36 at Hawthorn,” he said.

“When the trade happened I had a few messages on twitter advising me not to grab that number, but I never contemplated it.

“It was never in my plans to ask Alex (Woodward) to hand over the guernsey, I thought change of clubs, I might as well change the guernsey number as well.”

But for now, Lake is just concentrating on completing his pre-season to the best of his ability, getting his body in the right shape to attack the 2013 season with vigour.

“I came in here a couple of times a week before the boys started, which gave me a good base to start off with pre-season and now heading into Mooloolaba (Hawthorn’s training camp),” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to spending a week away with the guys to bond and really get to know everyone there.”