South Warrnambool midfielder the first to receive honoured jumper

Thirty-five years after the number six was retired following the shock death of Mick Daniel, the club has brought the jumper back into circulation - but with a greater meaning.

Daniel was injured in the Roosters' match against Koroit on July 28, 1984, where it's believed he was struck in the face and fell, hitting his head on the ground.

After attempting to play on, he was taken off the field and lost consciousness in the club rooms.

He was revived but two days later died in hospital.

His death sent shock waves through the club and the south-west sporting community.

No one had worn the number six jumper since that day.

Committee member Jock O'Connor, who was playing that day, said the club decided to mark the 35th anniversary by bringing his jumper out of retirement and bestowing it upon a promising player.

Harvey, who has played 22 senior games in the past two seasons, was announced on Thursday night as the first member to wear the number, beginning the new tradition.

The 18-year-old said it was "special" to be the inaugural recipient.

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"Honestly it shocked me a fair bit," the midfielder said.

"I didn't see it coming and hearing what they (O'Connor and Mick's brother Shane) had to say about him obviously he was a good fella and hopefully I can live up to it."

Shane Daniel, who was 20 and playing for Russells Creek at the time of his brother's death, said he "couldn't be more happier with the support of South Warrnambool".

"I honestly think you could go anywhere in the world and you'd be hard up to find a club that has held onto a number for 35 years out of respect and honour, what a tribute," he said.

The now 55-year-old, who retired from football due to a lack of interest a few years after his brother's death, praised the efforts of O'Connor for explaining the jumper's significance to the club's committee.

"It wasn't my decision (to bring the jumper out of retirement), thankfully Jock was at a meeting when it wasn't known why the number was retired and let everyone know," he said.

"I had actually held onto the jumper from that day in my wardrobe for 35 years as well and so Jock made it all happen, which is fantastic as they were best mates."

The club has framed the old jumper and it will now take pride of place in the Roosters' club rooms.

The Daniel family is still heavily embedded in the south-west. Shane, who moved back from Noosa two years ago, his siblings Anne, David and Ruth and their 84-year-old mother Naralie all live in Warrnambool.

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