Eight Sydney Swans players have received their red and white jumpers for the first time on a special evening at the 2023 Sydney Swans AFL Guernsey Presentation, presented by Volkswagen.

Held at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground, friends and family of the playing group joined club staff as they took to the field of play upon their arrival, before heading to the Noble Dining Room for the official presentation.

It was a night to remember for new draftees Jacob Konstanty, Cooper Vickery, Cameron Owen, Jaiden Magor, Caleb Mitchell, and Will Edwards, along with new recruits Aaron Francis and Hugo Hall-Kahan (2022 NAB Mid-Season Rookie Draft), as the contingent were officially welcomed into the Bloods family - and were handed their jumpers by club legends Michael O'Loughlin and Gerard Healy.

Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe spoke of the enormous pride that players have in receiving their inaugural jumper, and also for the families and friends who have made sacrifices to help them achieve their dream.

"it's a really special night, particularly for the players who are in their first year at the club, and their families as well," Rampe said.

"There's no doubt that they had an enormous impact on helping the players get to where they are today. They are all joining a club that is thriving, on and off the field, and there's no better time to be part of the Sydney Swans."

His sentiments were supported by an awe-inspiring speech from fellow co-captain, Luke Parker.

"Tonight marks the start of another campaign for club. Some players have just received their first guernsey and their journey has just begun. It will be a journey that will be full of many challenges, but also one that will create incredible moments and memories," Parker said.

"Every day, i have the pleasure of seeing different journeys, but ones of the same values, taking place.

"These players are on different stages of their journey, and likely on different paths, but one thing that is clear, is these paths all have the same values, and are heading in the same direction."

Francis, who recently joined the Swans during the Continental Tyres Trade Period, will don the number 10 guernsey in 2023. He spoke of the positive impact the club has made on him since his arrival last year.

"It's something really special and something i hold close to me. Coming where I've come from - I have had some struggles, but this just brings the perfect opportunity for me to play some really good football at a really good club," Francis said.

"It's been different to where I've come from. it's been tough at times to transition, but lately I think I've been going really well and settling in quite nicely.

"I'm getting to know the players on a football level - which is really important."

The number 10 guernsey holds enormous significance with Swans Hall of Fame members Bob Pratt (1933 premiership winner, Swans Team of the Century), Barry Mitchell (170 games 1984-92, All Australian 1988 and '91) and Paul Williams (2005 premiership winner, 117 games 2004-'06, Club Champion 2001-'02) all forging special careers while wearing the number 10. 

More recently, 2012 premiership winner Mitch Morton and Sam Naismith also donned the number 10.

Jacob Konstanty, who was drafted at pick no.20 of the 2022 NAB AFL Draft, will wear the number 18, worn most notably by former South Melbourne captain Joe Scanlon (148 games 1923-31), Johny Bowe (1933 premiership winner), and retiree Callum Sinclair (89 games 2016-22).

Meanwhile, new draftee Cooper Vickery will be a custodian of the prestigious number 25.

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Bloods Champion Barry Round (193 games 1976-'85, Swans Team of the Century, Swans Hall of Fame, Brownlow Medal 1981), and Ted Richards (2012 premiership winner, 228 games 2006-'16, Swans Hall of Fame), well and truly made the guernsey their own across their stellar careers respectively. 

Will Edwards, a graduate of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy who was recruited as a Category B Rookie for the 2023 season, will don guernsey number 28 - worn previously by Swans Hall of Fame members Daryn Cresswell (244 games, Bob Skilton medallist, Team of the Century) and Jared Crouch (2005 premiership winner, 223 games 1998-'09).

Caleb Mitchell, drafted at pick no.40, will wear number 35, worn previously by Swans Hall of Fame member, David Murphy (156 games 1984-'93, Swans Team of the Century), while fellow recruits Jaiden Magor and Cameron Owen, who were both recruited in this year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft, will wear the number 32 and 40 respectively.

The number 32 was worn by premiership winners Amon Buchanon (2005) and Lewis Jetta (2012), while Nick Smith (211 games 2008-2019, 2012 premiership winner) wore the number 40.

Meanwhile, Sarina Jackson, current Chair of the Rainbow Swans - the official LGBTIQA+ supporter gorup of the Sydney Swans, was named as the club's number one ticket holder for 2023.

The evening's proceedings culminated with a stirring toast made by former club captain Kieren Jack - a veteran of 256 games (2007-'19), Bob Skilton medallist (2010), All Australian representative (2013), and premiership winner (2012).

The Sydney Swans will start their 2023 campaign against the Gold Coast Suns at Heritage Bank Stadium on March 18, before returning home to the SCG for their Round 2 match against Hawthorn on Sunday, March 26.

The 2023 squad guernsey numbers are as follows: