23

In the dying moments of the Grand Final on Saturday, as the Loins "devoured the pies" boynton heard some reference to Justin Leppitsch choosing the number 23 jumper after his childhood hero Dermot Brereton. Had Anthony Rocca been playing for Collingwood it is likely the two 23's would have lined up against each other.
David Beckham also chose to play in the 23 shirt for Real Madrid.
This article by Professor Marcus du Sautoy explores the significance of the number.
As a member of Oxford University's Mathematical Institute, and football fanatic, I feel moved to point out that many pundits seem to have missed the true significance of Beckham's choice: 23 is a prime number - the smallest with consecutive digits. Although many have said this in passing, few realise what a profound observation this is

from Plus ...an internet magazine which aims to introduce readers to the beauty and the practical applications of mathematics (via eclectica)

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Comments: 23

Shane Warne also wears 23 for the same reason as Leppitsch
Posted by Scott Wickstein at September 30, 2003 11:40 AM

That's interesting.
Did Dermie take over the 23 from Don Scott?
(or from the Don, Scott?) ;)
Posted by boynton at September 30, 2003 11:50 AM

And Michael Jordan. All through my footy career I was 23 or 32.
Posted by Tony.T at September 30, 2003 01:37 PM

I'm sure all this discussion will inspire a 23 festival. Or 23 three of them, at least.

Small even numbers ducking and weaving in the foreground. Multiples of seven gathering in raki tents. A lone 70 crying for his multiples. 23 naked men seeking 23 naked pleasures. Ribbons, music and numeracy parades. 2 and 3 patrons, followed by a horse.

Posted by Jim at September 30, 2003 03:31 PM

Get a grip, Jim.
Posted by Tony.T at October 1, 2003 12:13 AM

23 Skidoo.
Posted by Graham at October 1, 2003 01:41 AM

yeah, get a grip, Jim. You're giving away all these great ideas to festival impressarios.
Surely a genuine Melbourne Festival should combine our 'primal' rite (football) - and the possibilities of such a spectacle are endless. (I guess)
Imagine what you could do with the parade of numbers and sequences especially when it got combative. You could have "the Pi's" v ...?...the Dewey's or the Bar Codes... The Pi's of course would wobble.
I think this has legs.

Tony - did you ever alternate the two jumpers in a game? eg when you switched from Full Forward to Full Back?

Graham - yeah, and it was pretty much skidoo for A.Rocca a week ago too.

Posted by boynton at October 1, 2003 12:25 PM

Nope. Only when I did a hand-stand like Aker.
Posted by Tony.T at October 1, 2003 02:46 PM