Liam Baker’s top-class versatility within Richmond’s line-up was further highlighted in last Sunday’s Round 2 match against Port Adelaide at the MCG.

Baker, a dual premiership small defender with the Tigers, was excellent through the midfield and capped off his fine work with an AFL career-high three goals.

Two clutch, team-lifting goals, just before three-quarter-time, put Richmond right in the contest at the final break.

Aside from the goals, Baker had 23 disposals, an equal team-high 11 contested possessions, four marks, seven inside-50s, five clearances, an equal team-high 12 score involvements, three intercepts, four tackles and 478 metres gained.

Post-game, a typically modest Baker told Richmond Media that while he was pleased with his goalkicking exploits, he would have liked to maintain a high level of performance in the midfield throughout the entire match.

“Snuck forward and got a few (goals). That was alright. But I was part of that midfield that got beat around a bit in the third quarter and the fourth quarter,” he said.

“We got a bit of a rev-up three-quarter time . . .

“If you’re going to play in the midfield, you need to be there all four quarters, and we weren’t for that little patch.

“But it’s good to get on the scoreboard.”

The 26-year-old was the sole Tiger to receive votes from the coaches for the AFLCA Champion Player Award and the second highest on the field, polling five.

Full voting details for the Round 2 Richmond v Port Adelaide match are:

10 - Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
5 - Liam Baker (Richmond)
4 - Willem Drew (Port Adelaide)
4 - Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
3 - Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Port Adelaide)
2 - Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
2 - Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide)