Pingaring star’s stellar rise in Richmond colours helps earn new contract extension

Dashing defender Liam Baker has been rewarded for his stellar start to his career in Richmond colours, signing a contract extension last week.

Hailing from Pingaring, Baker has rocketed on to the AFL scene after being drafted as a rookie by the Tigers in 2017.

He made his debut in 2018 and has played 44 AFL games in yellow and black.

The dual AFL premiership player told the Observer in the lead-up to the new season he was still pinching himself about playing in such a successful era with the Tigers.

Now Baker has extended his time at Punt Road, signing a one-year contract extension last week.

The rebounding defender’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but he hit a trigger last year and will remain with the Tigers until at least the end of 2022.

Baker, who was drafted from Subiaco after playing junior football at Lake Grace-Pingrup, has been a revelation in defence for the Tigers.

The 23-year-old, pictured, helped the Tigers win their second straight game to start the 2021 premiership season.

He collected 16 disposals, took four marks and laid three tackles in the Tigers’ 11.12 (78) to 7.7 (49) victory over Hawthorn on Sunday.

In the Tigers’ round one victory over Carlton, the rugged defender racked up 15 disposals in the 25-point win.

Baker finished sixth in the Tigers’ best and fairest last season.