Steven Baker
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| Personal information | |
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| Birth | May 22, 1980 , |
| Recruited from | South Colac/Geelong U18 |
| Height and weight | 179cm / 83kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Debut | Round 2, April 4, 1999, St Kilda vs. Melbourne, at Waverley Park |
| Team(s) | St Kilda (1999-present)
154 games, 34 goals |
| ¹ Statistics to end of Round 10, 2008 season | |
| Career highlights | |
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Steven Paul "Bakes" Baker (born May 22, 1980) was drafted in the 1998 AFL Draft in a second round priority pick to the St Kilda Football Club at pick 27.
The athletic Baker has caused a bit of controversy during his career, playing as a tagger/run-with player, rather than a set-position player. Some football purists have criticised this style of play, while others have praised it.
Baker and fellow teammate Stephen Milne have created their business via the football club known as Saintly Entertainment, where the players can host a BBQ, birthday party or football clinic. This venture started up in 2005.
Baker tied with fellow team-mate Luke Ball in the 2005 Best and Fairest award, previous to that his best ranking was 3rd in 2004. He also played in the pre-season premiership side of 2004.
On May 28, 2005, Baker and team mate Fraser Gehrig played their 100th and 200th AFL games respectively.
Baker will be remembered for scoring the game-tying behind after the siren on April 30, 2006 during the controversial finish to the St Kilda v Fremantle clash in 2006, however an investigation hearing three days later stripped Baker of the point and handed the win to Fremantle.
Baker is regarded as one of the most efficient taggers in the league, but has been well documented to often stretch the rules, leading to a very high number of tribunal appearances. On August 18, 2007, Baker was linked to an incident behind play, in the third quarter of a match against Fremantle at Telstra Dome. Fremantle forward Jeff Farmer was assisted from the playing area at Telstra Dome, with blood coming from his nose and suffering a concussion. The incident was not witnessed by umpires, nor was it captured on film. Channel 10 commentator Michael Voss stated soon afterwards that he saw what happened and added that Baker would be hoping it had not been captured by TV cameras. However he later denied viewing the actual incident and admitted to making an assumption based on his perception of the moments immediately before and after the incident.[1] Baker was charged by the AFL with rough conduct, and in the absence of video evidence, the Match Review Committee was forced to refer Baker directly to the AFL Tribunal. On August 21, 2007 it was announced that Baker had been found guilty and suspended for 7 matches[2], the longest sentences for a single incident since the tribunal system was changed to a points based system. The penalty was made so severe due to a 40% points loading due Baker's poor record of 4 weeks suspension in the past 3 years,[3], and controversial 127.5 carry-over points; Baker had been suspended for two separate incidents in Round 6 against Carlton, but a loop-hole (closed immediately thereafter) allowed him to serve a shorter time and carry-over the extra points.[4]
[edit] External links
- Steven Baker profile on the Official AFL Website of the St Kilda Football Club
- Steven Baker's statistics from AFL Tables
| Preceded by Nick Riewoldt |
St Kilda Best and Fairest winner 2005 |
Succeeded by Nick Riewoldt |
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