Player Watch #7: Liam Baker

[Grechy]

this was his best. Hit Lynch in the goal square.
Keep an eye on Bakes. He's fast approaching elite territory.

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My question is how the hell does a player of this ability only get through as a rookie pick? This bloke is ridiculously good.

 

[Vassp]

the kid can play, who would've thought he is quickly becoming one of our best ?

 

[Marcel Proust]

My question is how the hell does a player of this ability only get through as a rookie pick? This bloke is ridiculously good.

Not drafted at all in his draft year ... (2016)

 

[4tune8]

Noticed him in the Shai highlights package from junior days, looked good there too.

 

[scarecrow2k1]

His highlights on homepage tigers look impressive booming kick on both sides and great turn of speed has midfielder about him.

Apologies if this post has been bumped already, but it looks prophetic after last night

 

[PaulBulluss]

the kid can play, who would've thought he is quickly becoming one of our best ?

Outrageous. He's so clean with it in tight spaces and makes the right decision under pressure more than almost anyone else. And he's always there. Fact he's good on both sides with hand and foot gives him an edge.

 

[freezer]

First full game as a mid - BOG, 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 8 clearances with our injuries, against GWS's midfield and Dusty playing forward a fair chunk of the game.

If he doesn't become a permanent part of our midfield rotation then something's wrong.

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

Outrageous. He's so clean with it in tight spaces and makes the right decision under pressure more than almost anyone else. And he's always there. Fact he's good on both sides with hand and foot gives him an edge.

He’s becoming one of my favourite players, I love watching him. Love his attack on the contest.

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

First full game as a mid - BOG, 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 8 clearances with our injuries, against GWS's midfield and Dusty playing forward a fair chunk of the game.

If he doesn't become a permanent part of our midfield rotation then something's wrong.

Laid 6 tackles too, he’s becoming a well rounded player

 

[Rocco sifreddi]

Thing I have always loved about him is his attack
On the footy no matter what's coming
He is as brave as anyone .

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Can play back, forward, mid and have a major impact, how many players can do that!!
The little swing man

 

[Not Important]

First full game as a mid - BOG, 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 8 clearances with our injuries, against GWS's midfield and Dusty playing forward a fair chunk of the game.

If he doesn't become a permanent part of our midfield rotation then something's wrong.

plus 6 tackles and a lot of hassling. love what he does when he doesn't have the ball. has a big engine and breakaway speed. real find as a mid.

 

[CholEstrol]

My question is how the hell does a player of this ability only get through as a rookie pick? This bloke is ridiculously good.

Exactly. He seems to have thrived under the Richmond/Hardwick system and development. It's his fundamental skills that hold him in good stead. Clean, virtually fumble free, quick and accurate decision making and tough as teak to name a few. Can also slot goals given the opportunity.

 

[Spluff]

Guy has vacuum cleaners for hands... just picks up everything with ease

 

[Waca Jr]

Dustin aside my fave Richmond player now. Imagine him to complementing a full strength midfield or Martin, Cotchin, Edwards and Prestia. Jizz worthy. The addition of Mansell has allowed this

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Thing I have always loved about him is his attack
On the footy no matter what's coming
He is as brave as anyone .

Needs a go as a ruckman

 

[69vintage]

Disappointed in him last night .Surely he could've relieved Nank in the ruck .

Can play back, forward, mid and have a major impact, how many players can do that!!
The little swing man

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Think we found our Cotch replacement.

 

[Marcel Proust]

Think we found our Cotch replacement.

Surely more edwards / long term prestia.

RCD looks more cotchin like

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Surely more edwards / long term prestia.

RCD looks more cotchin like

I reckon Dow looks very Cotchin like. Has his crazy burst through the pack with a clean pick up and neatly distributes it without changing motion ability. So many Cotchins.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

I reckon Dow looks very Cotchin like. Has his crazy burst through the pack with a clean pick up and neatly distributes it without changing motion ability. So many Cotchins.

Cotchins to the left
Cotchin to the right.
Cotchins up for the fight.

 

[Rayzorwire]

Laid 6 tackles too

That's just the ones that stuck long enough to cause a stoppage or turnover (and therefore be recorded as a tackle stat), he attempted probably close to 20 and they almost all applied very worthwhile pressure.

Absolute monster of a game, happy to be corrected, but I can't say I recall any better midfield debut than that one, Richmond or otherwise.

 

[blaisee]

struts around like a young Ben Cousins

Moves and plays like him as well, but a much better kick both technique wise, and the depth of his kicking is better as well

 

[Rayzorwire]

struts around like a young Ben Cousins

Moves and plays like him as well, but a much better kick both technique wise, and the depth of his kicking is better as well

Good comparison, definitely similarities.

Look out football world if he ends up developing arms and torso that are comparable to Cousins'!

 

[Nobby]

My question is how the hell does a player of this ability only get through as a rookie pick? This bloke is ridiculously good.

Doesn't meet the AFL guidelines of being at least 185cm or he could have been a top 10 pick lol.