Phil Baker
North Melbourne and Geelong · “Snake”
AFL career
106 games125 goals
- Debut
- R13 1971 v STK26 June 1971
- Most recent
- R6 1979 v RCH12 May 1979
Stats
1979 | NTH | 4 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
1978 | NTH | 14 | 7.4 | 1.9 | 9.3 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
1977 | NTH | 21 | 8.0 | 1.4 | 9.4 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 |
1975 | NTH | 5 | 8.8 | 2.6 | 11.4 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 |
1975 | GEE | 9 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 6.8 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
1974 | NTH | 14 | 7.4 | 1.2 | 8.6 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 |
1973 | NTH | 14 | 9.4 | 0.9 | 10.4 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
1972 | NTH | 16 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 11.4 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
1971 | NTH | 9 | 8.8 | 1.8 | 10.6 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
Bio
Recruited to North Melbourne where he became known as "The Snake" for his slender build and deceptive strength, Phil Baker established himself as a high-flying forward capable of spectacular aerial feats. His career trajectory included a peculiar detour in 1975 when he transferred to Geelong for a single season, managing nine games before returning to Arden Street the following year. This return proved timely, allowing him to cement his place in Ron Barassi's side during the club's golden era, eventually playing a key role in the 1977 premiership campaign where he featured in both the drawn Grand Final and the victorious replay against Collingwood.
While he was a premiership player, Baker is perhaps most vividly remembered for his individual brilliance in the 1978 Grand Final against Hawthorn. In a losing side, he produced a standout performance by booting six goals and taking one of the most celebrated marks in finals history, sitting high over the shoulders of opponent Ian Paton. A dangerous option near goal who could turn matches with his contested marking, Baker remained a fixture in the North Melbourne lineup until his retirement at the end of the 1979 season.
Profile
- Born
- 22 Mar 1952 (age 74y 213d)
- Height
- 192 cm
- Weight
- 93 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1977
- Goal of the Year1978
Bio
1 revisionRecruited to North Melbourne where he became known as "The Snake" for his slender build and deceptive strength, Phil Baker established himself as a high-flying forward capable of spectacular aerial feats. His career trajectory included a peculiar detour in 1975 when he transferred to Geelong for a single season, managing nine games before returning to Arden Street the following year. This return proved timely, allowing him to cement his place in Ron Barassi's side during the club's golden era, eventually playing a key role in the 1977 premiership campaign where he featured in both the drawn Grand Final and the victorious replay against Collingwood.
While he was a premiership player, Baker is perhaps most vividly remembered for his individual brilliance in the 1978 Grand Final against Hawthorn. In a losing side, he produced a standout performance by booting six goals and taking one of the most celebrated marks in finals history, sitting high over the shoulders of opponent Ian Paton. A dangerous option near goal who could turn matches with his contested marking, Baker remained a fixture in the North Melbourne lineup until his retirement at the end of the 1979 season.