To secure a top-five selection, Kane Cornes wants Richmond to trade Liam Baker to the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles.
Following The West Australian’s exclusive revelation that the Tiger had purchased a property in Perth, football pundit Kane Cornes feels Richmond need to take advantage of Liam Baker’s trade value.
When Baker’s contract was about to expire two years ago, West Coast was interested in signing him, but the 26-year-old decided to stay with the Tigers.
The Subiaco product just purchased a multi-million dollar riverfront property in Mount Pleasant, and it now seems he’s ready to go home.
He wouldn’t be a free agent, though, and Cornes has pushed the Tigers to take advantage of the chance to acquire draft picks—he even hinted that he would fetch a pick in the top five.
In my opinion, Richmond ought to trade him,” he stated on SEN.
“In order to get the draft capital in, Richmond should try to trade (Dustin) Martin, trade Baker, and move a few other players.
“(Empty out) up to a point; balance is obviously necessary.” With what they have there—especially with (Jacob) Hopper and (Tim) Taranto on long-term contracts—I still believe they have enough experienced players under contract, especially since Tom Lynch will likely stay on.
I believe it’s about adding younger players to their roster. It would also be smart to trade for a first-round pick from a West Coast or a Freo team that is loaded with picks.
Fremantle has a plethora of first-round picks coming into the draft this year thanks to a trade for Port Adelaide’s pick and the agreement to send Lachie Schultz to Collingwood.
And Cornes thinks that’s what it would take for Baker to leave the Tigers.
“Absolutely, I would assume so (a first-round choice). Although I wouldn’t expect them to select in the top five, there are a lot of things you could do with future selections and split picks,” he stated.
Please understand that I genuinely adore him as a player. This is not meant as criticism; in my opinion, he is a very good player. Cash in now, though, given Richmond’s current situation and my assessment of where it’s headed. You’ll receive significant offers.
West Coast just inked
List manager Matt Clarke was the one who recruited Baker to Tigerland and was once the national recruiting manager for Richmond.
As Essendon legend Tim Watson has demanded this week, there’s a chance the AFL may provide West Coast with an aid package if the Eagles finish in the bottom three for the third consecutive year.
