Richmond duo to join West Coast now that senior coach is sorted

Departing Richmond premiership player Liam Baker has chosen West Coast as his club of choice, according to SEN’s Sam Edmund.

The 26-year-old, who is out of contract, is set to exit the Tigers this trade period and wants to get to the Eagles now that Andrew McQualter has been announced as the West Australian club’s new senior coach.

Baker, a WA native, who was also being linked with Fremantle spent five years with McQualter at Richmond.

He will be joined at West Coast under the former Tigers caretaker by fellow two-time flag winner Jack Graham, who will head west as a free agent.

“Liam Baker has chosen West Coast,” Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Mornings.

“Expect that to be formalised shortly. He will get there and Jack Graham will cross with him as an unrestricted free agent.

“The relationships that McQualter built for a long period of time with these guys at Punt Road was a factor. Was it the absolutely determining factor? I’m not sure.

“But without doubt Liam Baker was waiting until the coach of West Coast was identified. The (McQualter) decision was officially made yesterday (Sunday).

“Liam Baker will play for West Coast, subject to a trade being organised.”

Edmund says that the trade for Richmond co-vice captain Baker is unclear given that West Coast’s Pick 3 is too high and Pick 23 is likely too low.

“Baker is a great get at 26. I think he influences games,” he added.

“He needs to be traded. What that trade looks like will be interesting because West Coast have Picks 3 and 23. So there’s a fair bit of work to do here given Baker falls between those two picks.

“It will either be a pick swap or they’ll trade out Pick 3 for a couple (of first-round picks). There’ll be plenty of takers for that pick you would imagine.

“This move has been in train for a long period of time.”

Edmund added: “Graham joins for nothing. It’s a four-year contract for Jack Graham who the Eagles will be hoping can sort his body out.”

Hawthorn’s Pick 13 will likely be utilised in the Tom Barrass trade which could then be used by the Eagles to get Baker done.

Rookie draft selection Baker played 128 games for the Tigers after debuting in 2018 while Graham played 131 after being picked up in the 2016 draft.