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Welcome Liam Baker
- Thread starter Tigermad2005
- Start date
Not sure Leysy.
West Coast are certainly in a massive rebuild, but they have to rebuild around something.
Bakes is clearly a very professional footballer, set high standards, and is a premiership player.
They are not going to load up on this type of player, but the odd one on the field could be a massive boost to a young squad.
Their own versions of this player are either retired or so injury prone they hardly get on the field.
Agree with this. Bakes would only leave to go back home rather than wanting a better club. Either way, we have Steely (hopefully) rising.
Prob depends what experience they keep on next year.
This year they still have a lot of experienced (premiership) heads - McGovern, Cripps, Darling, Gaff, Yeo, Kelly, Hunt, Sheed, Barrass, Duggan etc.
If Leysy was list mgr at West Coast, considering where they are at - he wouldn't be trading away a badly needed late first rounder needed for the rebuild (about Baker's value you'd think) to bring a 27 year old good but not great player in.
Agree. I think Freo are the bigger risk. West Coast will look at free agency to bring players in for experience. They need their draft picks for a full scale rebuild. They still have a relatively low number of top 20 draft picks for a team that has now only won 5 games over the last 2 years.
I don't think Bakes will go to another Victorian club unless we seriously low ball him which I don't expect us to do, but Freo may plant that "go home" factor in him. If they do you'd think we'd be asking for 14 or 18, potentially with something going back (especially if its 14). Maybe 14 and 1 of our 3rds goes back to them. I'd do that, if he asked to leave.
Out of contract. If he leaves he will need to be traded.
I understand your point, and the cost of getting Baker would be high, that is, a first rounder of some description in the deal.
But from the outside looking in, West Coast problems must run deeper than just the quality of their list. High picks are important to them, but you don't want to do a Richmond of so many years and keep burning top end talent by not having enough leaders around them.
They have been insipid with a list that on paper, has enough talent and experience to at least be competitive most weeks.
They have backed their coach in, so the only conclusion I can draw is that there are cultural issues within the team. Players are just not buying in? It is easy to blame the coach and the club hierachy for that, but the onfield leaders also play a massive part.
I am not suggesting that Bakes, per se, is the answer to their problems. But I think they would be crazy not to be having a long hard look at him or similar players to reinforce the squad.
I reiterate though that the price for Baker would be high for a team in a rebuild. But sometimes you have to roll the dice.
I reckon they might try and hit free agency fairly hard this year. They will throw everything at Tim English you'd think.
Of our players, I'd be very surprised if they didn't make an offer for Kmac. He's a free agent so he's free to them. Probably 1 of our best trainers and a great character to have around the club, very confident, funny and brings that humour and fun to the side whilst displaying the hardwork and team 1st ethic that they need.
I would think they should easily be able to offer him a much better contract than we can, both in terms of $'s and in terms of length. If I was them I'd throw a 3 year deal in front of him, I'm pretty sure he'd be on 1 year deals with us.
I'm not sure we'd get any compo picks for Kmac but he's unrestricted so there's not much we can do if they throw a good contract in front of him. He'd almost be a top 1 or 2 priority for me if I'm there list manager.
The other one I'd be all over if I was the Eagles, would be Mitch Duncan, see if they can get him back to Perth. Whilst he's had a few injury interrupted seasons, I reckon he would give them some great experience across the half back line.
Bakes would see this next contract as his peak earn,,,,interesting what rivals would value him at , he’s only a little bloke , very dynamic but has limitations, he’s of outstanding character highly respecter so some ridiculous offers would t at all surprise from say a norf , hawks or saints even , reckon his value is 15-19 . Certainly hope we keep him, not sure I’d commit crazy money tho
That would surprise me , very much a role player , not necessarily valued outside of punt rd
Freo lack everything needed to be successful.
There is no Gravitas about the joint. They are like the kid who was taught to take a beating rather than stand up and stick up for themselves.
There is no life or soul around the joint, Freo should be a perennial power along with the Eagles their access to quality talent is far and above most clubs.
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What limitations? He can't play ruck?
He's played everywhere else, to an elite level. He has about as many limitations as Dusty does.
Fast, strong, tough, skilful, hard running, contest winning, target hitting, feet keeping, clean handling, space making one-touch player and leader.
Must keep. We will not draft better with 10 picks.
See him as our likely next captain. Keep.
McIntosh as a free agent, no longer a certain selection and may get us an end of 2nd compensation pick. (I think Broad contracted, would be a better buy and may also attract WC interest).
But I’d trade all 3 for Reid!
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Agree. Pick 15-19? Really? You would need about 10 selections in that zone to get a Baker