Premiership star set to walk westIn a dagger to the heart for many Richmond fans, gun utility Liam Baker looks “almost certain” to play on the western side of the Nullarbor in 2025.
Also speaking onMidweek Tackle, fellow Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph revealed Baker is far closer to leaving Punt Road than many first thought.
“I think Richmond fans should get their head around life without Liam Baker; I think it’s very likely now that he will move on,” Ralph begun by saying.
“I think West Coast would be the likely favourite right now.”
Given rival Fremantle’s slightly more appealing home-and-away record of late, panellist Jay Clark was perplexed at the thought of a one-man race for the Tiger.
“That surprises me … I would’ve thought Fremantle Ralphy, with the three first-round draft picks,” Clark exclaimed.
“They’ve lodged an offer, I don’t think West Coast has actually lodged an offer yet,” Ralph replied.
“He’s a kid who grew up loving West Coast, he grew up loving Ben Cousins, he loved Chris Judd - Daniel Kerr was his favourite.”
Baker won premierships under now-Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick in 2019 and 2020 at Richmond, and came second in their best-and-fairest in 2021 behind defender Dylan Grimes.
Given his value and history at the club, there is a sense the defender - naturally - feels uncomfortable leaving the club without good reason.
“He will feel better about leaving if he has a reasonable deal,” added Ralph.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/shock-13m-to-15m-offers-from-needy-club-tigers-gun-almost-certain-to-leave-trade-whispers/news-story/bf07adc684a289dc1fd76c593e6b89a9