Player Watch #7: Liam Baker - Traded to West Coast for pick 14

[Charlie Pannam]

Obviously I'm in the minority but I just dont believe he is top 22.

We have plenty of small players who can do what he does

That’s fair enough our best 22 is pretty bloody awesome but he’s tracking in the right direction and has shown that he’s more than capable at the highest level.

I’m a fan but the one thing working against him is that he probably lacks a yard in comparison to our other smalls.

 

[Bojangles17]

That’s fair enough our best 22 is pretty bloody awesome but he’s tracking in the right direction and has shown that he’s more than capable at the highest level.

I’m a fan but the one thing working against him is that he probably lacks a yard in comparison to our other smalls.

Yes however butler and George both struggle to get their hands on it , baker can tackle and pressure as well as being in right spots , Weller looks to be in George’s spot right now , butler really needs to lift his game on that poor showing on Sunday

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Yes however butler and George both struggle to get their hands on it , baker can tackle and pressure as well as being in right spots , Weller looks to be in George’s spot right now , butler really needs to lift his game on that poor showing on Sunday

No arguments I fo like Baker and would not be st all surprised if he he takes it to another level and becomes a regular. He’s very clean a one touch player that rarely fumbles.
Butts he was terrible on the weekend but we should cut him some slack he’s missed some footy and really is a touch / confidence player he can turn it around quickly.
I love seeing George in our forward line brings chaos to the oppositions backline with his manic pressure and is a very good one on one player (if he could kick would be an elite small forward).

 

[THE_GUN]

The way i look at things we have the following smalls
Rioli , Butler , Higgins , Castagna , Baker , Edwards

We are likely to play 3 smalls foward and 2 in the midfield
That leaves just 1 extra - Injuries will hit and we have cover

 

[Marcel Proust]

No arguments I fo like Baker and would not be st all surprised if he he takes it to another level and becomes a regular. He’s very clean a one touch player that rarely fumbles.
Butts he was terrible on the weekend but we should cut him some slack he’s missed some footy and really is a touch / confidence player he can turn it around quickly.
I love seeing George in our forward line brings chaos to the oppositions backline with his manic pressure and is a very good one on one player (if he could kick would be an elite small forward).

Fancy if Bolton were too pull the finger out

The way i look at things we have the following smalls
Rioli , Butler , Higgins , Castagna , Baker , Edwards

We are likely to play 3 smalls foward and 2 in the midfield
That leaves just 1 extra - Injuries will hit and we have cover

Edwards might start on the wing

Lambert is capable of playing hff to confuse matters

 

[Dr Awkward]

Castagna can play in the air, but from what I've seen of Baker, Baker has better footy smarts, disposal, decision making etc. He seems to bring really good energy and knows where to run. Castagna is unreliable, can drift out of games and go missing.

 

[parmy2balmey]

has a rude head, like cuzzy on the dings

 

[Hot tigers]

Is a mid who can get plenty, may not get a crack as a mid with our stars in there, looked good and composed as a small... liked him a lot last year just don’t know where he fits in, thankfully coaches will decide that

 

[Bojangles17]

The way i look at things we have the following smalls
Rioli , Butler , Higgins , Castagna , Baker , Edwards

We are likely to play 3 smalls foward and 2 in the midfield
That leaves just 1 extra - Injuries will hit and we have cover

Lambert rotates through too and sheds

 

[Del65166]

Castagna can play in the air, but from what I've seen of Baker, Baker has better footy smarts, disposal, decision making etc. He seems to bring really good energy and knows where to run. Castagna is unreliable, can drift out of games and go missing.

Small fwd is a hard position to get a lot of the football. I like the idea of rotating mids & small fwds to freshen all players. And on form I'd be playing Weller ahead of Butler. Nice recruiting to pick him up. Butler has another game to find some form. If not Baker has put his hand up to take JC's spot in Round 1 at least. I'm not writing any players off. They just need some time at VFL to find form.

 

[Shazza_]

has a rude head, like cuzzy on the dings

he is a lad. has got the little mullet going too

 

[Ceehook]

That’s fair enough our best 22 is pretty bloody awesome but he’s tracking in the right direction and has shown that he’s more than capable at the highest level.

I’m a fan but the one thing working against him is that he probably lacks a yard in comparison to our other smalls.

working hard and tracking in the right direction might be the keys

if we see him in the round 1 side I'd say its coming from two things , reward for work ethic and two and faith he will improve

 

[Muddiemoose]

working hard and tracking in the right direction might be the keys

if we see him in the round 1 side I'd say its coming from two things , reward for work ethic and two and faith he will improve

Every year over the past few seasons we had guys make the round 1 best 22 that at the time seemed like a little bit of a dark horse selection

Last year it was Short
17” was Butler
16” Rioli

Be interesting if the trend continues this year with Baker being right in the mix

 

[MattWriting]

That collect and 50m kick to Lynch lace out with 80 seconds left....

 

[Rubber Hips]

he is a lad. has got the little mullet going too

a bit like this legend

 

[Rubber Hips]

That collect and 50m kick to Lynch lace out with 80 seconds left....

That was pure skill...going at full tilt...hitting Lynch on the tit at 40-50m

His kicking skills are what sets him apart from the likes of George

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Agree with punters who are pumping up his kicking - obviously has Georgie covered (who doesn’t!!) and Butts and Bolton for that matter. On the flip side lacks a yard and is very small however if he can continue to get it 12-18 times a game and use those foot skills to hit up Lynch, Riewoldt and Caddy then those deficiencies won’t be an issue

 

[Madtiger2006]

He has more class than any of our small forwards apart from Rioli. Natural footballer, with great, skill and composure. He's the most natural small forward we've had since Weightman

 

[DoItForCaptBlood]

He has more class than any of our small forwards apart from Rioli. Natural footballer, with great, skill and composure. He's the most natural small forward we've had since Weightman

Only remember The Flea as a mid??

 

[Madtiger2006]

Only remember The Flea as a mid??

He roves a tap down like the Flea. He'll be at full pace and the ball lands into his hands

 

[Bojangles17]

That was pure skill...going at full tilt...hitting Lynch on the tit at 40-50m

His kicking skills are what sets him apart from the likes of George

give the man a cigar , without naming anyone that could have easily been a grubber leaving us lamenting lynch was all alone i50

 

[Mr Unbelievable]

I'm really liking this kid ... I'm loving how we can develop them in the 2's and get them ready before they debut

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Keeps his feet really well does Ox Baker.

 

[TigerImposter]

Smart footballer who provides multiple efforts. Skill levels are excellent especially under the pump. Our most improved player from last years vfl

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

Very impressed with the poise this guy shows under the pump. Rarely wastes it.