Departed Richmond star Liam Baker makes revealing admission about time in Melbourne

Departed Richmond premiership star Liam Baker has opened up on his final season at the Tigers amid speculation that he was out the door.

As the Tigers under new coach Adem Yze struggled to notch a win, it was widely known that the West Australian wanted to move back to his home state.

Richmond were embarking on a new era and the courageous 26-year-old’s contract was up at the end of the year.

With all that going on, Baker — a two-time premiership Tiger — admitted the season had many challenges.

He also detailed the real reason behind his move, which was not about the Tigers’ sudden decline, going from flag contenders to cellar-dwellers in just a few years.

“I didn’t really love Melbourne,” Baker surprisingly admitted.

“I was always keen to go home to be closer to my network outside of footy. (But) the club was very good at supporting me (when I was there).”

Baker told Trade Radio that it had been a “tough year mentally”.

“I felt at times I was a bit distracted and had to check myself and remember that I was still playing for Richmond,” he said.

He insisted he did not “buy out” during the season but said “I did get distracted at times”.

“It did wear me down a bit, but I love the club. I absolutely love Richmond. I loved every moment of being there it was just the circumstances of where it is in the country is why I wanted to leave.”

Baker also said that the appointment of Andrew McQualter — the former Richmond assistant who is now West Coast’s new coach —helped him make up his mind that the Eagles was where he wanted to be.

“It definitely swayed me in that direction when his name was in the mix,” Baker said.

“If he was announced while I was still up in the air, I would have been straight there.”

Baker was part of a mass exodus from Richmond. Superstar Shai Bolton also headed west and joined Fremantle, Jack Graham also joined the Eagles, while best-and-fairest winner Daniel Rioli was reunited with former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast.

Baker was quizzed about the departures and whether it was due to Hardwick’s shock exit from Richmond mid-2023.

“I can’t speak for the other boys but no hard feelings with Dimma,” he said.

“He wanted to move on. He felt like he couldn’t get anymore out of the group he had there which is fair enough and everyone moves on.

“I’m sure a lot of the people around Richmond can say they were ready for a change as well.”

Baker also responded to backlash from disgruntled Eagles fans who voiced their disapproval of the club parting with Pick 3 in a deal for the uncontracted Tiger.

Baker joined West Coast in a contentious three-club trade on Tuesday, with the Eagles bringing in Baker, pick 12 and Carlton forward Matt Owies in exchange for Pick 3, with late picks also swapped.

“It’s hard to block it out when they’re bloody messaging me on Instagram,” Baker joked on Triple M, before adding: “Nah I’m kidding, I’m just having a bit of a laugh.

“It’s part of playing AFL footy, it’s a high-pressure industry, let alone the West Coast Eagles. Their fans, their supporters and the club themselves, they want the club to perform, as do I.

“I’m going there for the future as well. I want the club to perform (as much as) everyone else does.

“I always loved (the Eagles) growing up and I know how big they are. It was just being a part of a new group or a building group over the last few years.

“They’ve obviously had a tough couple of years, being able to climb up the ladder, hopefully in the next couple of years, was something I was keen to be a part of.

“It’s going to be a big challenge but I can’t wait for it.”

- With The West Australian