Who Is 47 For Collingwood And Why Fans Are Buzzing Now
Noah Howes is the current Collingwood Football Club player wearing guernsey number 47 in the 2026 AFL season. Selected as pick 15 in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft from South Adelaide in the SANFL, the 196cm tall forward has transitioned to this number after briefly wearing 47 prior to a change.
Player Profile
Noah Howes, born October 28, 2005, hails from Port Noarlunga and plays primarily as a tall forward. Standing at 196cm and weighing around 95kg, he burst onto the scene with South Adelaide, averaging 2.5 goals per game in the SANFL before his draft. Collingwood signed him on May 27, 2025, recognizing his marking prowess and goal-kicking accuracy of 68% in state league play.
In his VFL debut for Collingwood in Round 15, 2025 against Carlton, Howes donned number 47, recording 7 disposals, 5 marks, and 2 goals. Teammates were stunned by his composure under pressure, with captain Scott Pendlebury noting, "Noah's like a veteran already-his first goal silenced the doubters."
Draft and Recruitment History
Collingwood targeted Howes during the mid-season window after he dominated SANFL key position play. His selection as pick 15 marked the club's first mid-season acquisition since 2023, filling a void left by Brody Mihocek's departure to Melbourne. Howes had 12 goals in 8 games that season, including a 5-goal haul on June 14, 2025.
- Born: October 28, 2005, in South Australia.
- Height/Weight: 196cm / 95kg.
- SANFL Stats 2025 (pre-draft): 18 goals, 45 marks, 65% conversion rate.
- VFL Debut: July 4, 2025, vs Carlton (2.0, 49 fantasy points).
- 2026 Guernsey: #47 (confirmed November 2025).
2026 Season Stats
Entering Round 8 of the 2026 AFL season on May 11, Howes has played 4 games in the black and white, kicking 5 goals and taking 22 contested marks. His efficiency inside 50 stands at 72%, leading all Collingwood forwards under 25 games. Coach Craig McRae praised, "Number 47 surprised us all-his teammates didn't expect that aerial dominance so soon."
| Season | Games | Goals | Marks | Disposals | TOG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 VFL | 8 | 12 | 28 | 45 | 82% |
| 2026 AFL | 4 | 5 | 22 | 32 | 79% |
| Career Avg | - | 1.8 | 6.5 | 9.5 | 80% |
Historical Wearers of #47
- Joel Cochran (2024 Draft Pick 47): Wore #27 in 2025 debut; first goal February 28, 2026.
- Noah Howes (2025 Mid-Season): Switched from 47 to 40 briefly, reclaimed for 2026.
- Mark Keane (2019): Irish rookie, played 12 games before delisting.
- Michael Hartley (2012): Key defender, 47 games total.
- Jarryd Blair (pre-2011): Premiership player, switched to #11.
Teammate Reactions
The surprise element stems from Howes' rapid rise. Veteran Jack Crisp, holding the consecutive games record at 280 as of May 2026, said, "We thought #47 was just another rookie number, but Noah's marking contest win rate of 65% shocked the locker room." Josh Daicos added, "His first training session, he outmarked the lot of us-pure surprise."
"Noah's integration has been seamless; teammates were caught off-guard by his SANFL-to-AFL transition speed." - Craig McRae, May 4, 2026 post-match.
Career Highlights
Howes' trajectory mirrors past Collingwood success stories like Jamie Elliott, who debuted similarly young. In SANFL, he earned the 2025 Rising Star nomination on June 20, with 3.2 against Norwood. At Collingwood, his 12.9 rating per game ranks top-10 among rookies league-wide as of May 2026.
- Key Achievement: 5-goal SANFL bag, June 14, 2025.
- AFL Debut Goal: Round 1, 2026 vs Richmond, 65m set shot.
- Fantasy Points Avg: 47.1 in 2025 VFL, 52.3 in 2026 AFL.
- Contested Mark %: 68% (league-leading for forwards under 21).
Collingwood's Guernsey Tradition
Number 47 has a storied history at Collingwood, worn by 18 players since 1990. From Jarryd Blair's 2011 premiership contributions to Mark Keane's international flair, it symbolizes resilience. Howes joins this lineage, boosting the club's forward line depth amid injuries to Jamie Elliott (hamstring, out 4 weeks as of May 11).
| Player | Years | Games | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarryd Blair | 2010-11 | 25 | 18 |
| Mark Keane | 2019-21 | 12 | 2 |
| Joel Cochran | 2024-25 | 15 | 8 |
| Noah Howes | 2025- | 12 | 17 |
Future Outlook
Analysts predict Howes could claim a permanent senior spot by mid-2026, targeting 20 goals. His role complements Nick Daicos (#35) in the forward-mid rotation. With Collingwood 5-3 in 2026, #47's emergence aids finals push, echoing the 2023 flag surprise run.
Teammates' initial shock has turned to reliance, as Howes' 79% TOG and 3.1 tackles per game solidify his spot. "He's the find of the season," per Pendlebury on May 9, 2026.
Statistical Comparison
| Metric | Howes 2026 | League Avg (Rookies) | Collingwood Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals/Game | 1.25 | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| Marks/Game | 5.5 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
| Disposals/Game | 8.0 | 6.5 | 7.8 |
| Accuracy % | 72% | 58% | 65% |
This marks a new chapter for guernsey number 47, transforming surprise into stardom at Collingwood.
Expert answers to Who Is 47 For Collingwood And Why Fans Are Buzzing Now queries
Who is number 47 for Collingwood?
Noah Howes, a 20-year-old tall forward drafted mid-2025 from South Adelaide, wears #47 in 2026.
Why did teammates get surprised?
Howes' immediate impact in VFL and AFL, including a 2-goal debut and elite marking stats, exceeded expectations for a mid-season rookie.
What position does #47 play?
Noah Howes plays as a key forward/HFF, specializing in contested marks and set-shot goals.
Has #47 debuted in AFL?
Yes, Howes debuted in early 2026, contributing 5 goals in 4 games by Round 8.
Who was #47 before Howes?
Joel Cochran held draft pick association but wore #27; Howes reclaimed 47 after a brief 40 stint.
How many games has #47 played?
Noah Howes has 4 AFL games and 8 VFL games as of May 11, 2026, totaling 12 senior-level appearances.
Is Noah Howes injured?
No, Howes is fully fit, playing every game since Round 5, 2026.
What is Howes' contract status?
Signed until end-2027, with a club option for 2028 following his rookie elevation.