Phil Baker (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Phil Baker is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne
and Geelong
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL) during the 1970s.
Baker was a high marking forward and started his career at North Melbourne in 1971. Five games into the 1975 season he was transferred to Geelong by Allen Aylett due to financial reasons. His loyalty to North was never questioned after his 1976 season at Geelong, as his return to North in 1977 he was ready to prove that he was an integral part of the North Melbourne forward line. This was evident as he played a major role in a premiership year with 35 goals. He kicked six of the club's nine goals in the 1977 Grand Final
against Collingwood and three in the following weekend's Grand Final Replay. His accuracy at goal as opposed to Arnold Briedis
's inaccuracy, kept North Melbourne in the game against Collingwood. In 1978 he played in North Melbourne's losing grand final
against Hawthorn and kicked another bag of six goals. The highlight of the 1978 grand final was his high leaping marks and desperate efforts to get North Melbourne back in the game. However, his efforts alone were not enough to win the grand final for North Melbourne. In these three grand finals he kicked a total of 15 goals. Phil Baker's nickname was "Snake" and wore jumper number 29.
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL) during the 1970s.
Baker was a high marking forward and started his career at North Melbourne in 1971. Five games into the 1975 season he was transferred to Geelong by Allen Aylett due to financial reasons. His loyalty to North was never questioned after his 1976 season at Geelong, as his return to North in 1977 he was ready to prove that he was an integral part of the North Melbourne forward line. This was evident as he played a major role in a premiership year with 35 goals. He kicked six of the club's nine goals in the 1977 Grand Final
1977 VFL Grand Final
The 1977 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the North Melbourne Football Club and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 24 September 1977...
against Collingwood and three in the following weekend's Grand Final Replay. His accuracy at goal as opposed to Arnold Briedis
Arnold Briedis
Arnold Briedis is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne in the VFL during the 1970s.A centre half forward, Briedis was a member of North Melbourne's inaugural premiership side in 1975, kicking 5 goals in the grand final...
's inaccuracy, kept North Melbourne in the game against Collingwood. In 1978 he played in North Melbourne's losing grand final
1978 VFL Grand Final
The 1978 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Hawthorn Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 30 September 1978. It was the 82nd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to...
against Hawthorn and kicked another bag of six goals. The highlight of the 1978 grand final was his high leaping marks and desperate efforts to get North Melbourne back in the game. However, his efforts alone were not enough to win the grand final for North Melbourne. In these three grand finals he kicked a total of 15 goals. Phil Baker's nickname was "Snake" and wore jumper number 29.