Noah Howes And Collingwood No. 47: Why It Changed
- 01. Key fact at a glance
- 02. Timeline of events
- 03. Why clubs change numbers
- 04. Statistical context and performance
- 05. Official announcements and sources
- 06. Practical implications for fans and merch
- 07. Historical examples at Collingwood
- 08. Quotable sources
- 09. Lookup checklist for researchers
- 10. Quick FAQ
- 11. Data note and confidence
Noah Howes wore Collingwood's guernsey number 47 after being selected in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft, and the number officially changed when the club reassigned him to no. 40 ahead of the 2026 season as part of Collingwood's end-of-season jumper reallocation announced on 20 November 2025.
Key fact at a glance
The immediate reason for the change was jumper reallocation within Collingwood's playing list: Howes initially wore a development-style 47 while on the mid-season list, then moved to the available senior number 40 previously worn by Ash Johnson, reflecting his elevation in status and a club decision to align numbers with the senior list for 2026.
Timeline of events
- Picked in mid-season draft: Noah Howes drafted to Collingwood with Pick 15 in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft (May 2025).
- Initial guernsey: Assigned number 47 during the 2025 season while integrated via the VFL and development pathways.
- End-of-year reallocation: Collingwood announced jumper number changes on 20 November 2025, listing Howes as moving to number 40 for the following season.
- Contract update: Howes re-signed for the 2026 season on a one-year deal, cementing his place on the senior list where the number change applied. (20 October 2025 announcement).
Why clubs change numbers
Clubs commonly change guernsey numbers due to the player list status (rookie, mid-season draftee, senior list), incoming or departing players freeing preferred numbers, and symbolic moves that mark a player's promotion or new role within the team.
Statistical context and performance
Noah Howes is a 196cm key forward who recorded multiple three-goal hauls in the SANFL before being drafted, and after joining Collingwood he played 11 VFL games in 2025, kicking 15 goals including a five-goal performance in Round 16. These figures are consistent with the club's rationale for promoting him to a more senior guernsey.
| Date / Season | Competition | Games | Goals | Guernsey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 U18 SANFL | SANFL U18 | - | 3 (Grand Final) | NA |
| May 2025 | Mid-Season Draft | Drafted (Pick 15) | - | 47 |
| 2025 (VFL) | VFL | 11 | 15 | 47 |
| 20 Nov 2025 | Club announcement | - | - | Changed to 40 |
Official announcements and sources
Collingwood's official club release announcing the mid-season draft selection described Howes as a 196cm contested mark who came from South Adelaide and had produced several three-goal games in 2025 SANFL fixtures.
Collingwood's jumper change announcement on 20 November 2025 listed Howes explicitly as moving from 47 to 40, citing the vacated number previously occupied by Ash Johnson, and framed the change as part of routine end-of-season list and number allocations.
Practical implications for fans and merch
- Collectors should be aware that early 2025 merchandise bearing 47 will reflect Howes's mid-season status and is technically accurate for that period.
- From 2026 onward, official senior list guernseys for Howes will bear 40, and Collingwood's store and licensing partners typically update catalogues within weeks of the announcement.
- Match-day programmes, VFL scorecards and historical logs will keep the 47 designation for 2025 appearances; statistical aggregators maintain both designations with season tags.
Historical examples at Collingwood
Collingwood has a precedent of players changing numbers when moving from rookie or development lists to the senior list, such as past seasons where newcomers wore higher numbers (including 47 and 43) before swapping into lower or preferred numbers as they consolidated a spot.
Quotable sources
"Collingwood has selected key forward Noah Howes with Pick 15 in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft," - club release, May 2025, noting his South Adelaide background and contested marking ability.
Lookup checklist for researchers
- Check Collingwood's official news feed for the jumper reallocation announcement dated 20 November 2025 to confirm exact wording and numbers.
- Cross-reference VFL match reports and boxscores for 2025 to verify game-by-game guernsey usage and goal tallies.
- Confirm contract and list status via the club's player list updates and October 2025 re-signing notices.
Quick FAQ
Data note and confidence
The timeline and facts above are drawn from Collingwood Football Club announcements and VFL/SANFL match logs, which record Howes's drafting (May 2025), match performances, contract re-signing (October 2025), and the club's jumper reallocation release (20 November 2025). These primary club sources provide high confidence in the sequence and rationale of the number change.
Helpful tips and tricks for Noah Howes Collingwood Number 47
What this meant for Howes?
The move from 47 to 40 signalled Collingwood's administrative recognition of Howes as a continuing member of the club beyond his mid-season entry, and it corresponded with his on-field output (11 VFL games and 15 goals during 2025) and contract re-signing.
Is this change permanent?
Not necessarily; guernsey numbers can be reassigned in future off-seasons if players depart, new draftees request numbers, or the club decides to allocate different symbolic numbers as part of list management. The 2025→2026 change reflects status movement but not an immutable assignment.
Will Noah keep playing at Collingwood?
As of the club's October 2025 contract announcement, Howes signed a one-year deal to remain at Collingwood for 2026, indicating the club's short-term commitment and the practical reason for formalising a senior list guernsey number.
Why did Noah Howes wear number 47?
Noah Howes was initially assigned number 47 when he joined Collingwood via the 2025 Mid-Season Draft; higher numbers are commonly used for mid-season/rookie list players before formal senior list allocation.
When did the number change happen?
Collingwood publicly listed the jumper changes, including Howes's move to number 40, on 20 November 2025.
Who previously wore number 40?
Ash Johnson had worn number 40 prior to the 2025 reallocation, which enabled Howes to take that number in the club's end-of-season shuffle.
Does the number change affect his contract?
The change itself is administrative; Howes's retention on the list was secured by a one-year re-signing announced 20 October 2025, and the number change followed as part of aligning his guernsey with senior list status.
Where can I buy a Howes guernsey now?
Official club retail updates typically follow the jumper announcement; for an authorised replica bearing number 40, check Collingwood's online store after the November 2025 update and look for legacy items from 2025 that may show number 47.