AFL
4 months ago
Star Dockers duo reportedly meet with out-of-contract Tiger in bid to lure him home to WA
By Lachlan Geleit
Fremantle stars Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw met with Richmond utility Liam Baker in recent weeks in a bid to convince him to join the club, reports AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
Baker, 26, is weighing up a move back to his home state as he comes out of contract at the end of the season with both the Eagles and Dockers heavily linked to the utility.
Twomey says that Serong and Brayshaw met with Baker, among a wider group of Dockers players, while he was in town for Richmond’s clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday, June 6.
“We know they’re actively targeting players, they’ve been in the Liam Baker race,” Twomey said on AFL.com.au’s Gettable.
“We can say today that star Dockers pair Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw were part of a contingent of a Dockers group that met with Liam Baker recently when he was in Fremantle.
“That was part of the pitch there when the Tigers were in Perth a couple of weeks ago.
“That’s clearly something he’s got to weigh up.”
With both Fremantle and West Coast trying to recruit Baker as well as Richmond tabling the two-time premiership player a new deal, Twomey was asked where he envisions the utility playing in 2025 and beyond.
Twomey expects Baker to leave the Tigers and as Fremantle possess three first-round picks in the 2024 draft, he thinks they are best placed to land him.
“I think all year it’s been pretty line ball and it’s been tight,” Twomey said.
“I think he goes, but we thought that two years ago and he ended up staying.
“Both clubs were well and truly in it two years ago and he ended up staying, but I think it’s a ‘go’ this time, it just depends on what club.
“And Freo, as we spoke about, have the picks (to satisfy Richmond).”
Fremantle’s three first-round picks in the 2024 draft currently sit at seven (via Collingwood), 10 (via Port Adelaide) and 14.
While Twomey expects Baker to depart, Richmond senior advisor Neil Balme says the Tigers are “pretty confident” that the 26-year-old will re-sign.
