Liam Baker Biography

Liam Baker is in a race to be fit for Richmond's season-opener against Carlton after having surgery to remove his appendix.

"(Baker) woke up feeling pretty sore in the stomach over the weekend and had it investigated and unfortunately he had to have his appendix out," Richmond assistant coach Xavier Clarke said.

Dylan Grimes claims his first Jack Dyer medal as Richmond's best and fairest for 2021.

Grimes, whose previous best placing was third in 2019, polled 51 votes to win the award from midfielder Jack Graham and defender Liam Baker, who tied for second on 46 votes.

David Astbury backs his young teammate, Liam Baker, to continue his rise as an AFL player.

"I feel like his upside is enormous and he's such an enormous character around the footy club. I have huge faith and belief in him developing into a serious player," Astbury said.

"I see the Liam Baker story as one that's really underrated. He's a tremendous athlete and so hard working but he sets himself apart with his hands and his toughness.

"He had moments in the finals that didn't get the exposure they deserve but they were really, really tough critical moments. He's a brave boy and we're so lucky to have him."

Liam Baker has found his feet in Richmond's best 22, and the young Tiger has a string of sliding doors moments to thank for a mid-season shift to the backline that made it happen.

The 21-year-old, who was rookied as a small forward/midfielder at the end of 2017, found himself in the VFL after the bye when a run of quiet games coincided with a host of experienced heads overcoming injuries.

But it took a mid-game injury to a VFL teammate for coach Craig McRae to send Baker to defence and it's a position that has proved more natural than anyone expected.

"It's surprised me a bit. 'Dimma' [Damien Hardwick] mentioned it and then I was excited to do it but I didn't really know how it was going to happen," Baker said.

"It worked out well, they liked what they saw and I've been in as a defender since and getting more comfortable as the weeks go by."

Liam Baker weighs up where to play next season as rival clubs, including Carlton and Fremantle, inquire about him.

Liam Baker is the 2019 round 10 AFL Rising Star nominee after gathering 24 disposals and laying 9 tackles in Richmond's 23-point win over Essendon.

Baker was gutted after he was overlooked for the 2016 NAB AFL Draft but regards his draft setback as a blessing in disguise.

"It was probably a good thing for me because the next year I got to taste a bit of senior footy in the WAFL (with Subiaco, including a Grand Final) and matured a bit more before I got picked up by Richmond (at No.18 in the rookie draft the next year)," Baker said.

"An AFL career doesn't get gifted to you, which is good because it makes you work even harder on areas of your game that need improvement. I definitely don't take anything for granted."

Liam Baker makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 12 disposals (3 kicks and 9 handballs), a mark and a tackle in a 28-point win over Collingwood.