Liam Baker showed some promising signs in three senior appearances with Richmond throughout his 2018 debut year of AFL football, and he’s parlayed that into some seriously good form early in season 2019.
The 21-year-old, clever small man from Western Australia, who was a rookie draft selection for the Tigers, averaged 11.3 disposals in those three games last season and kicked one goal.
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In three games so far this season, he’s averaging 19.0 disposals, 3.3 tackles and has kicked a total of four goals.
Baker was one of Richmond’s best players in last night’s Anzac Eve win against Melbourne, picking up 19 disposals, including five inside-50s, laying five tackles, kicking two goals, having five score involvements, and finishing with 371 metres gained.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick paid tribute to Baker during his post-match press conference.
“Liam’s a very popular member of our group,” Hardwick said.
“We just love the way he goes about his footy.
“He’s very clean at ground level, tackles hard. He just does all the little things well, which is what the Richmond people value.
“He kicked a couple of goals tonight, set up a couple as well . . .
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“He took a little bit of a longer journey to get here, but he’s certainly shown us, and I think the AFL public in general, that he deserves his spot on an AFL list. “
Hardwick admitted to being pleasantly surprised by just how much Baker had improved this year.
“He had a great pre-season. Did I see him playing as much senior footy as he has for us? Probably not. But I’m glad he is,” Hardwick said.
