Knee ends Baker's season

Bowey Boy · Post: # 626225Post **Bowey Boy** » Fri 22 Aug 2008 8:26pm

Late breaking news at

http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabi ... wsId=66108

ST KILDA defender Steven Baker's season is officially over after an arthroscopy on his right knee.

Hampered by the joint, Baker has only played two games in 2008 â€“ after 18 last year â€“ and has not represented the Saints since round seven.

The start to Baker's year was forced by suspension, serving a seven-match ban for striking Fremantle's Jeff Farmer in round 20, 2007.

He was recalled for the club's loss to Port Adelaide in round six and played against Richmond the following week, when he suffered a knock to the knee.

The 28-year-old made a return in the VFL in his recovery, but struggled, and has felt soreness in the last few weeks.

"Steven and the medical staff made a decision to have the arthroscopy done to clean up his knee," St Kilda's general manager of football operations Matthew Drain said in a statement on Friday.

"Heâ€™ll be missed for the remainder of the season but is expected to complete a full pre-season and be ready for the start of next year."

St Kilda's best stopper, Baker shared St Kilda's best and fairest award with Luke Ball in 2005.

perfectionist · Fri 22 Aug 2008 8:33pm

Quelle Surprise!

The pcl strikes again!

Con Gorozidis · Fri 22 Aug 2008 8:35pm

where does this leave bakes? whats is his contractual situation? with demster and mini in the side and maybe attard to return could be the end for bakes......

BigMart · Post: # 626237Post **BigMart** » Fri 22 Aug 2008 8:40pm

With a new contract in 2009......he is a gun....

to win a B&F (2005) and finish third in another (2002) you are a very good player....Mini and Dempster will never do either...

perfectionist · Fri 22 Aug 2008 8:42pm

You can write the names of players who have come back from a pcl on the back of a Penny Blue!

Con Gorozidis · Fri 22 Aug 2008 8:51pm

BigMart wrote:With a new contract in 2009......he is a gun....

to win a B&F (2005) and finish third in another (2002) you are a very good player....Mini and Dempster will never do either...

WAS a gun.

i know he was a good player.... im not knocking him.....but if he cant run....

b & f's in the past wont help in in 2009 if he cant run.

Pwoit · Post: # 626261Post **Pwoit** » Fri 22 Aug 2008 9:20pm

perfectionist wrote:You can write the names of players who have come back from a pcl on the back of a Penny Blue!

Start scribing

saintbrat · Post: # 626262Post **saintbrat** » Fri 22 Aug 2008 9:21pm

Steven and the medical staff made a decision to have the arthroscopy done to clean up his knee," St Kilda's general manager of football operations Matthew Drain said in a statement on Friday.

"Heâ€™ll be missed for the remainder of the season but is expected to complete a full pre-season and be ready for the start of next year

."

would be the telling section- get it done now READY for 2009

given the amount of football he hasn't played all year it would ahve been very tough to get back into the saints team.

cowboy18 · Post: # 626288Post **cowboy18** » Fri 22 Aug 2008 10:30pm

Pwoit wrote:
perfectionist wrote:You can write the names of players who have come back from a pcl on the back of a Penny Blue!
Start scribing

Duh. That's the front.

Hope he's back next year.

perfectionist · Fri 22 Aug 2008 10:43pm

cowboy18 wrote:
Pwoit wrote:
perfectionist wrote:You can write the names of players who have come back from a pcl on the back of a Penny Blue!
Start scribing

Duh. That's the front.

Jolly good work Watson!

kp83 · Post: # 626311Post **kp83** » Fri 22 Aug 2008 11:18pm

perfectionist wrote:You can write the names of players who have come back from a pcl on the back of a Penny Blue!

Don't know if you could fit the names Adam Goodes, Jamie Charman, Hamish McIntosh and Michael Gardiner all together on one of those.

St Fidelius · Sat 23 Aug 2008 12:13am

kp83 wrote:
perfectionist wrote:You can write the names of players who have come back from a pcl on the back of a Penny Blue!
Don't know if you could fit the names Adam Goodes, Jamie Charman, Hamish McIntosh and Michael Gardiner all together on one of those.

You can forget Michael Gardiner for starters ...

He has never really come back to form, and it may turn out to be a waste of a draft pick (let alone minimum wage I think)..

The Baker saga is sad as he was given a cruel blow by the tribunal last year and his match fitness coming in was not great...

I like Baker and his toughness at the ball is surely missed, but at 29 next year it does raise concerns....

I hope he is retained and plays well next year

bigred · Post: # 626332Post **bigred** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 12:16am

jesus.

Write him off so quick.

As if.

He IS a gun. Still is.

His season was **** by the AFL before it even started.

mad saint guy · Sat 23 Aug 2008 12:19am

Surely there isn't room for Baker, Blake, Dempster, McQualter and Eddy on the list next year.

Bakes was a fantastic player from 02-06, but he just doesn't seem to be able to keep up with modern footy now. Numerous suspensions and knee injuries don't help his case either.

St Fidelius · Sat 23 Aug 2008 12:20am

bigred wrote:jesus.

Write him off so quick.

As if.

He IS a gun. Still is.

His season was **** by the AFL before it even started.

were you referring to my post???

Did I write him off so quick???

If not me, how about a quote as to who you are referring too

bigmicka · Post: # 626366Post **bigmicka** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 9:59am

St Fidelius wrote:
bigred wrote:jesus.

Write him off so quick.

As if.

He IS a gun. Still is.

His season was **** by the AFL before it even started.
were you referring to my post???

Did I write him off so quick???

If not me, how about a quote as to who you are referring too

is your name Jesus?

mic

St. Luke · Post: # 626373Post **St. Luke** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 10:07am

Such a shame. We've really missed a hard-nut this season in Baker!

Look forward to seeing him return next season. Knee's are such a pain in the ...umm....knee!

Armoooo · Post: # 626449Post **Armoooo** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 3:26pm

That suspension last year that lead to him coming back without match fitness is looking worse and worse

evertonfc · Post: # 626457Post **evertonfc** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 3:32pm

Let's hope he can get himself right next year. We need him on his game.

Disappointing to see him bow out...but Andrew McQualter: your time is now.

evertonfc · Post: # 626459Post **evertonfc** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 3:34pm

mad saint guy wrote:Surely there isn't room for Baker, Blake, Dempster, McQualter and Eddy on the list next year.

Probably not, in truth. Throw in Leigh Fisher, Birss, Geary, and McQualter as well and it's a bit unnerving at the lack of potential amongst that lot.

Some ok players, but are mostly defensive midfield types. I'd see what we can get on the market and if there's no bites, we should stock up our midfield through the draft.

Legendary · Post: # 626517Post **Legendary** » Sat 23 Aug 2008 6:33pm

One of the most determined players at the club and he bleeds red, white and black.

Heart of a lion and is tough and hard working on the training track. Exceptional fitness too.

Bakes will be back and hungry next year. He's an integral part of this football club.

Anyone thought about how upset Baker would be not to be playing when Robert Harvey is in his last few games?

Shove it up 'em Bakes.

saintsRrising · Sat 23 Aug 2008 6:54pm

mad saint guy wrote:Surely there isn't room for Baker, Blake, Dempster, McQualter and Eddy on the list next year.

.

Baker: Small Back pocket or midfield tagger

Blake: has vastly improved his spoiling skills to become a genuine third defensive tall.He has mainly played as a defender this year. Add to this that he can play as a tagger on selected players and can play cameos in the ruck.

Dempster: Is a running defender with a booming kick that mainly plays on mediums or smalls. can also be used asa tagger, but has not done much of this at the Saints.

McQualter: Is midfield cum midfield tagger that can also be used as a small defender. He and Baker are arguably competing for the same spot..but in your 22 you can play a midfield tag AND a back pocket

Eddy: Is at this stage an outside running mid with the biggest tank at the Saints.

So given that in the main that they are all quite different players, then yes there is room for all on the list next year...and even in the same 22 depending on match ups (and who else from the saints is playing well).

L Fisher: Is the player rather than Bakes who will be in danger of holding his spot as the above group have all gone past him for the niches available that he can play in, and he is not quick enough to play on some of the quick small forwards floating around, nor does he win enough ball to be a permanent mid.

bigred · Post: # 626687Post **bigred** » Sun 24 Aug 2008 1:17am

St Fidelius wrote:
bigred wrote:jesus.

Write him off so quick.

As if.

He IS a gun. Still is.

His season was **** by the AFL before it even started.
were you referring to my post???

Did I write him off so quick???

If not me, how about a quote as to who you are referring too

No, was not directed at anyone in particular.

The general mood of the first ten posts of this thread is pretty gosh darn negative towards Baker's future.

It was a general theme that I strongly disagree with. Clean up his knee, get a preseason into him...and see how he goes.

When fit, Baker>Mcqualter>Dempster>Eddy any day.