Leon Baker

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
Personal information
Full name Leon Francis Baker
Date of birth (1956-08-17) 17 August 1956
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
  • Essendon premierships 1984, 1985
  • Swan Districts premierships 1982, 1983
  • Swan Medal 1983
  • All Australian Team 1985
  • WA State of Origin Team 1984,1985,1986
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]

References
  1. "Essendon Football Club - Champions of Essendon". 2007. Archived from the original on 3 September 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
  2. "Swan Districts Football Club - Playertracker - Leon Baker". 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
  3. "Leon Baker - Player Bio". 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  4. "Australian Rules - Footy in Paradise". 2002. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.


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