West Coast recruit Liam Baker to miss 2026 season opener, suspended for bump on Sydney’s Chad WarnerMitchell WoodcockThe West AustralianSun, 24 August 2025 4:34PMCommentsCommentsEmail Mitchell Woodcock
Liam Baker is set to miss the Eagles’ season opener in 2026 after he was handed a one-match ban for a high bump in their loss to Sydney at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Baker was handed a one-match ban for rough conduct on Swan Chad Warner, with the match review officer deeming it careless conduct, medium impact and high impact which carries a one-match ban with no early guilty plea.
Recruited from Richmond at the end of last year, Baker was just one of two players to suit up in all 23 games for the Eagles alongside midfielder-turned-defender Reuben Ginbey.
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Baker was the stand-in skipper for the final two games of West Coast’s season after Liam Duggan was suspended for a head-high bump on Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe earlier this month, while out-going forward Oscar Allen was sidelined with injury.
The 27-year-old was among the Eagles’ best in their 67-point thumping at the hands of Sydney, collecting a team-high 26 touches and taking eight marks from an incredible 91 per cent game time.
Baker finished his first season averaging 22 disposals, four tackles, 352m gained and four marks.
He is set to be one of the favourites to win this year’s John Worsfold Medal alongside Ginbey and fellow former Tiger Jack Graham.
Meanwhile, Ginbey was handed a $2500 fine which could be downgraded to only $1500 for pushing Sydney forward Haydn McLean into a contest in the first quarter.
The MRO judged the incident as careless conduct, low impact and body contact, but because it was a first offence he is only receiving a fine.
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