Leon Baker (born 17 August 1956) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) during the 1980s.
Leon Baker | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Leon Francis Baker | ||
Date of birth | (1956-08-17) 17 August 1956 (age 65) | ||
Original team(s) | South Bunbury | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1981–1983[1] | Swan Districts (WAFL) | 64 (100) | |
1984-1988 | Essendon (VFL) | 86 0(70) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1988. | |||
Career highlights | |||
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Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Baker started playing senior football quite late by modern standards and was recruited by Swan Districts when he was 24 years old[2] after playing many years of football in the country leagues including Cairns in Queensland and South Bunbury in Western Australia. Regarded as a highly skilled and fearless player he slotted easily into the Swan Districts team that lost the 1980 Grand Final with Baker playing on a half forward flank. Swan Districts went on to win the next two grand finals with Baker playing in the centre and once at full forward. Baker was awarded the 1983 Swan Medal for being the club's fairest and best player.
Essendon Football Club then recruited Baker in 1984 where he played until 1988. A dual premiership player, Baker held down the centreman position in both the 1984 and 1985 grand finals. He came second in the club's fairest and best award for both years. Baker remained with the Bombers until the end of the 1988 season with injuries hampering his career toward the end.[3] Swan Districts named Baker in their team of the century. Baker began coaching after retirement and has coached Gippsland club, Maffra and The Port Douglas Crocodiles in 1993.[4]
Swan Districts Football Club - Team of the Century | |
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Full-back | |
Half-back | |
Centre | |
Half-forward | |
Full-forward | |
Ruck | |
Interchange | |
Coach |
Essendon Football Club 1984/85 VFL premiers | |
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1984: Essendon 14.21 (105) defeated Hawthorn 12.9 (81), at the Melbourne Cricket Ground 1985: Essendon 26.14 (170) defeated Hawthorn 13.8 (92), at the Melbourne Cricket Ground | |
Coach: Sheedy |
1985 All-Australian team | |
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Coach
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South Australia
| |
Victoria
| |
Western Australia
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Western Australian team – 1984 Interstate Championships | |
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Western Australia 14.14 (98) defeated South Australia 14.13 (97), at Football Park, 9 June 1984 Western Australia 21.16 (142) defeated Victoria 21.12 (138), at Subiaco Oval, 17 July 1984 | |
Both games | |
State game vs. South Australia | |
State of Origin vs. Victoria | |
Coach: Todd |
Western Australian team – 1985 Interstate Championships | |
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South Australia 30.18 (198) defeated Western Australia 16.15 (111), at Subiaco Oval, 15 June 1985 Victoria 19.16 (130) defeated Western Australia 9.11 (65), at Subiaco Oval, 16 July 1985 | |
Both games | |
State Game vs. South Australia | |
State of Origin vs. Victoria | |
Coach: Todd |
Western Australian team – 1986 Interstate Championships | |
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Western Australia 18.19 (127) defeated South Australia 12.16 (88), at Football Park, 27 May 1986 Western Australia 21.11 (137) defeated Victoria 20.14 (134), at Subiaco Oval, 8 July 1986 | |
Both games | |
State game vs. South Australia | |
State of Origin vs. Victoria | |
Coach: Alexander |
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