Not really, but as some have mentioned its a way to get names on shirts and therefore money to be spent getting those names on the back of shirts.

I've also kind of thought of it as a way to try and predict what the coach is thinking about his startnig 17, but obviously this isnt 100% accurate (given some players request certain numbers).

There's a massive difference between a players heritages number and their squad number (about 1300 TBF ) in all seriousness, a players heritage number is a fixed number, it will always be that's number, the squad number is a variable and for a first time 1st team player that number will mean a lot

A lower number could also mean that a player is showing improvement and is now a "first choice".
Not important for some of the senior players who will have gone through all of this at the beginning of their career but, for the youngsters, in particular, it must be great to know that they are likely to feature in the starting 13/17

We’ve had squad numbers for years for now, just like the Boxing Day friendly at Leeds.

I have to say I agree with you on this. I don't get the eye-rolling emo comments.

For me the squad number announcement night is just another way of getting the Trinity name out there. Of course we could just give the players their numbers on the quiet, they don't need us to be there to tell their mum and dad about playing for Wakefield Trinity, but if people are willing to pay for the privilege, or more likely buy beer while they watch, surely it's a good thing for the club to do.

Squad number and Heritage number are both important. Ironically you can have a squad number and never play. You get a heritage number on your debut, so arguably, the squad number is the one you celebrate with your parents because it's the first time you have entered the professional ranks, but the heritage number means slightly more. Once you've debuted, I guess if you didn't start in the first 17 squad numbers, getting a higher number the year after is a good thing too............but once your in, I guess you probably celebrate your contract more than your squad number.