Player Watch #7: Liam Baker

[Ctl]

It means that the Dockers can turn their focus to wooing Richmond vice-captain Liam Baker back home to Western Australia.

Fremantle has reportedly tabled a five-year deal to secure the premiership player’s services. But Walls said it was a matter of whether the 26-year-old wanted to return home.

“Obviously he’s a very good, experienced player,” he said. “If he decided that he wanted to come home, we’d want to be right there and put our hat in the ring.

“We don’t know what’s happening. We’ll track him but we don’t know at this stage.”

Five months out from this year’s trade period and in possession of a trio of prized first round selections, Walls said that the Dockers would keep an open mind on how to make best use of their capital. But he hinted that the trade doors that the picks opened may be too good to refuse.

Baker’s name continues to appear in trade speculation. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“We’re not going to commit to anything,” he said. “We’ll explore everything.

“It could be that we trade all three. It could be that we use all three in the draft or it could be a combination of both. We’re looking at everything and we’ll do our best to get the club the best result from the three.

“It’s a nice position to be in. There are players out there and we’ve got the capital and collateral to do it. There may not be another year when you have three first round picks to be able to get a fair bit done at the trade table.

“We’ve got a lot of guys developing on the list but we’ve got to make sure that with the three picks, what we add is what we need.”

Dockers fans can expect the superstar to be around for a long time. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Fremantle also expects to kick off contract negotiations with vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw in the near future. The 24-year-old is out of contract and due to become a free agent at the end of next year but Walls says Brayshaw isn’t going anywhere.

thank you

 

[Daka]

The fact that Freo don't seem that confident & that we will throw our hat into the ring? tells me that he is not a lock to leave.

 

[Bojangles17]

Not thrilled to hear wc are front runners , still plenty to play out , they may well split their r1 pic

 

[Truetiger]

 

[TigerImposter]

Won’t need to play midfield at Weagles with Reid there.

 

[Ctl]

Cal Twomey on gettable said it is very likely Baker will be in WA next year

 

[Growapair]

Good playa! Happy to trade some picks for him! Win Win...

We are a rough chance to push deep into finals next year ... with a dream injury run ... just offer him one year contract ... and tell him to make his decision about leaving a year later as a free agent ... our tiny window probably snaps shut after 2025 until Gibcus and Co reach 26yo

And yes ... move him back to half-back and Rioli up the ground please

 

[Coach_Required]

Reckon he is going to sign a new contract and stay now that everyone thinks he is going.

West Coast to offer us Bailey Williams is just laughable.

I have this theory if your happy with a trade scenario then that means the trade is slanted too much in your favour, so eagles' fans thinking this is a fair trade are kidding themselves.

If a player swap was on the cards (saying that West Coast won't split their 1st rounder) and Williams was part of a said trade then something else would have to come with it and not some rubbish late rounder either we got plenty of those already.

 

[Dragonbait0o0]

Cal Twomey on gettable said it is very likely Baker will be in WA next year

I wouldn’t trust anyone except Tiger71 he know his stuff

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Will sign a one year contract if he is made Capt!

 

[tiger_tough]

Reckon he is going to sign a new contract and stay now that everyone thinks he is going.

West Coast to offer us Bailey Williams is just laughable.

I like Bailey Williams. Not for Baker, but I like him.

Will sign a one year contract if he is made Capt!

Nah.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

Will sign a one year contract if he is made Capt!

He is gone. He wants to make some serious coin and hang out with his mates in Perth. Good luck to him. We made him the player he is though so he better demand we are fairly compensated

 

[Muddiemoose]

He is gone. He wants to make some serious coin and hang out with his mates in Perth. Good luck to him. We made him the player he is though so he better demand we are fairly compensated

Agree, not bad business overall in the grand scheme either

Rookie pick into club leader premiership player and hopefully at least a 1st round pick when it’s something we desperately need

 

[Profop]

Would be utter madness on his behalf to sign a one year deal. Anyone saying he’s going to do that has rocks in their head

Plus if we’re offering a long term deal and others are offering a long term deal why would he sign for less?

 

[THE_GUN]

There is no benefit in signing Baker to a 1 year contract and not good for Baker or Richmond

If he signs a 1 year deal everybody knows exactly why its done and he will be concerned about injury and doesnt set a good example as a leader to the younger brigade.

Bakers value financially is at its peak and he will never be worth more in $$$$ specially if he gets injuries going foward
Also with the cap going up i highly doubt anything below $1,000,000 will attract a 1st round pick and Baker as a 28 year old wont be attracting that type of cash.

2 options
1. Signs a 5/6 year and stay a 1 club player
2. Move and cash in with good $$$$

 

[Philth]

Would be utter madness on his behalf to sign a one year deal. Anyone saying he’s going to do that has rocks in their head

Plus if we’re offering a long term deal and others are offering a long term deal why would he sign for less?

Loyalty, the prospect of being club captain, and staying at a club where he is happy/has a good culture.

 

[fargothegreat]

I wouldn’t trust anyone except Tiger71 he know his stuff

Twomey is generally reliable. Probably one of the only media reporters that is.

 

[bc27]

I think there’s a chance we might not see him in a Richmond jumper again.

 

[Sir_Loin]

If he’s gone he’s gone. Just get a first round pick for him. Won’t play in another flag and we’ve seen the best years of him.

Loved him at the tiges one of my favourite players. Time to move on

 

[tiger_tough]

I think there’s a chance we might not see him in a Richmond jumper again.

Why? he'll be back this week or next ya drama queen