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Does anyone remember Garry Baker?

Rocknroll

By Rocknroll
in Melbourne Demons

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waynewussell Redleg

waynewussell   6,582

Posted
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Came to us from Bulldogs I think. Developed into a very capable tap ruckman, with good hands, big leap and ability to take a screamer every now and then. Was tireless when required to ruck all day. Had at least one excellent season where I think he did quite well in the Brownlow. Injuries slowed him down in later years. He was agressive at the ball and threw himself around quite a bit, may have been on report a few times. A favourite at the club in his time.

Hannabal Redleg

Hannabal   4

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Came to us from Bulldogs I think.

Correct. I loved the Viking. He was a marking machine. Won a B&F from memory, but I could be wro...

Rhino Richards Legend

Rhino Richards   1,467

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He did have one outstanding year where I recall he almost won the media player of the year awards. I recall the Age polled him in 16 straight games. I think ihis big year was 1978. Then he did an ACL the following year and went to Sydney where the injury had robbed him of the valuable athleticism. Wore no 1.

Bay Riffin Redleg

Bay Riffin   1,481

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Apparently when Barassi came back to coach Melbourne, Baker thought his days were numbered. Barassi announced he wanted all Melbourne players clean shaven and working outside of football.

Garry said he had a full length beard and was unemployed at the time.

iv'a worn smith Redleg

iv'a worn smith   1,979

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I had a drink with him at his pub in Hobart during the '87 finals, when we demolished Sydney.

Great bloke and was as excited as I was about the Dees back then.

Redleg Legend

Redleg   41,731

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"Mushy" was a 193cm ruckman who gave his all for the club every time he played. With his bushy beard he became a favourite of the Dees' fans.

Rocknroll Mighty Demon

Rocknroll   1,005

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Cheers guys, Sounds like the kinda character we need now to palm down a few taps to Brock, Cale, Grimes and Jones.

He is still in Hobart and supposably still quite a character.

RNR


Sir Why You Little Legend

Sir Why You Little   37,241

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I had a drink with him at his pub in Hobart during the '87 finals, when we demolished Sydney.

Great bloke and was as excited as I was about the Dees back then.

That's good to hear a story like that. You could see Gary's Beard on the Southern Stand wing while sitting in the members!! But there were a lot of '70s porn star beards worn in the VFL back then. Bakers was the thickest i recall tho..

beelzebub Legend

beelzebub   23,387

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ahhhh..the VIKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) yes..remember watching him play :)

Cranky Franky Redleg

Cranky Franky   2,144

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Baker was a much better player than people think.

He became one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Played for Victoria & won a B&F.

Was a terrific pack mark & dangerous up forward ie 127 games& 112 goals which is close to double the goal rate of Jeff White.

Unfortunately at his peak he did his knee, never really recovered & that was it, career over.

Clintosaurus Trident

Clintosaurus   7,903

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He's a good bloke - very funny too. He owns a holiday home where I live and we have the occasional chat about the Dees.

I think he was one of the 150 Heroes announced earlier in the year.

MrMoose Demon

MrMoose   316

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He was very much like Jeff White - a high leaping ruckman who could take a specky.

Excellent tap ruckman who was a Demons crowd favourite.

Tried to upload a picture but got error messages)

Swampfox Redleg

Swampfox   190

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Yes fond memories of Baker

RR is right about his best year (1978)

He actually won the MFC best and fairest that year

Came from Footscray and played his final season at the Swans

Melbourne were very ordinary through the 70,s

Baker was excellent one on one and had a fearless uncompromising style of play

The toughs of that era stayed away from the Melbourne #1

jumbo returns Trident

jumbo returns   6,741

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Yes fond memories of Baker

RR is right about his best year (1978)

He actually won the MFC best and fairest that year

Came from Footscray and played his final season at the Swans

Melbourne were very ordinary through the 70,s

Baker was excellent one on one and had a fearless uncompromising style of play

The toughs of that era stayed away from the Melbourne #1

The toughs of that era stayed away from the Dees, period! We were the toughest team going around - didn't win many games but many teams limped off after playing us.

Courtney_Fish Mighty Demon

Courtney_Fish   183

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Dad says we traded Park for him. He remembers North unfurling a premiership flag at the old North ground before our match and with them all pumped up we went on to beat them. Baker was great that day.

AlphaDee Demon

AlphaDee   17

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Dad says we traded Park for him. He remembers North unfurling a premiership flag at the old North ground before our match and with them all pumped up we went on to beat them. Baker was great that day.

I was there that day and we all got very excited, expecting a great season!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of North, they had a similar player called Phil Baker who was a finals specialist but didn't do that much throughout the season.

Also, does anybody remember if Garry Baker had a beard for his entire MFC carreer? I seem to remmber him also playing without one.

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