The Western Bulldogs today confirmed Luke Dahlhaus will wear the famous No.6 guernsey previously worn by Bulldogs legends, the late Charlie Sutton, Brad Johnson and George Bissett.
The prominent number had been left vacant for the past two seasons following Johnson's retirement at the end of 2010 after a club record of 364 games. But the former skipper was pleased to present the exciting Dahlhaus with his new jumper this week.
Watch the media player above as BulldogsTV captured Brad Johnson hand over of the No. 6 guernsey to Luke Dahlhaus.
The Bulldogs have high hopes for the former rookie, who this season became one of the club's most damaging ball-carriers as a high half-forward. This latest honour is further confirmation of the high esteem in which he is held.
Before accepting the offer, Dahlhaus sought the advice of skipper Matthew Boyd, who in 2007 traded No.42 for the No.5 of 300-gamer Rohan Smith. Boyd confirmed in the youngster's mind just what an honour it was.
Dahlhaus said he couldn’t wait to start playing games with his new guernsey and that he was thrilled to be given the opportunity to wear the coveted number six.
“I’m just so pleased to be at the Club and I’m just so lucky to be wearing the number six.”
The 20-year-old said he won't feel any added pressure because "you get a lot of support when you're putting on a number like that."
"You've just got to look at the locker and you see the names [of players who have played at least 100 games] on it - Charlie Sutton, George Bissett and obviously Brad Johnson - and hopefully by the end of my career it's got my name up there in gold with a premiership medal next to it."
Johnson said he hopes Dahlhaus receives some of the luck associated with the jumper, with Sutton being the captain-coach in the Bulldogs' only premiership in 1954.
"It really is Charlie's jumper," Johnson said. "Charlie had the blood, sweat and tears go through that jumper, and he had such a big heart, [so] you remembered that when you did put it on."
Since being upgraded from the rookie list and making his debut in round 12 last season, Dahlhaus has played 28 games, kicked 24 goals and averaged 16 disposals and four tackles.
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View Luke Dahlhaus' player profile and season stats
