It’s a case of back to the future for Liam Baker, who is shining in the original role he played for Richmond after arriving from WAFL club Subiaco via the 2018 AFL rookie draft.

Baker started as a small forward with the Tigers, but he subsequently developed into a quality small defender.

That was the role he had in Richmond’s 2019 and 2020 premiership teams, before being used to plug several holes in the line-up throughout the 2021 season.

So effective was Baker as the Tigers’ ‘Mr Fixit’ last year, he finished runner-up in the Jack Dyer Medal.

This pre-season, Baker has been used primarily up forward, with occasional bursts on the ball, and he’s thrived.

The 24-year-old starred in Richmond’s practice match win against Hawthorn at Devonport last Saturday with 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six marks, five intercepts, four tackles, two goals and 12 score involvements.

“I’m just trying to knuckle down on that forward role that I played a few years ago,” Baker told Richmond Media post-game.

“There’s been some changes up forward this year.

“We’ve been mixing it up a bit, which has been exciting for us. So, just trying to get that right.

“It’s been good, flipping through there with different guys.”

Richmond assistant coach Adam Kingsley paid tribute to Baker in his press conference following the Devonport practice match.

“He’s been a good player at AFL level already, but he was outstanding today. So, hopefully he can go another step and take us further,” Kingsley said.