The name has been mentioned in dispatches a few times in recent weeks but when two well respected observers in the media nominate a previously obscure draft prospect as Melbourne’s first draft selection in their mock drafts, there’s a fair chance that they might have some inside knowledge about the club’s intentions.

It’s surely no coincidence that Oskar Baker was named at #30 (number revised to allow for an earlier matching father/son bid) by both Brett Anderson and Callum Twomey so it's time o sit up and take notice.

This what Twomey has to say about him:-

"OSKAR BAKER

POS: Midfielder, Ht 182, Wt 75kg, DOB 25/5/98
From Aspley

The Aspley flyer with the flowing red hair has caught attention this season playing in the NEAFL, and with his pace and ball-carrying ability could add another element to Melbourne's midfield mix. Baker, who was previously a member of the Brisbane Lions' academy before being cut and thus making him available to the open draft pool, was overlooked at last year's draft but had a terrific season to stake his claim for a spot on an AFL list."

And here's what his Queensland club's football operations manager said about him in Inside Football:-

Oskar Baker DOB: 25-05-98 181.9cm, 75.6kg Apsley

“Oskar was cut from the Lions academy in January and made his way to Apsley as a rookie, but due to a raft of injuries he got his opportunity early in the year and never looked back. His ability to take the game on is his strength - even against the AFL-aligned reserves he looked to tuck the ball under his arm and run. He has skill, is good overhead and is mentally strong. One of the better state league prospects.” -  Apsley football operations manager Mark Perkins 

I've been following him in the media and one article said he was surprised to be released from the Brisbane Academy player so put his head down to do some hard work this year.  That is a good sign about attitude and application.  Turning his game around and doing the hardwork was a feature that impressed our recruiters with Clarrie last year so Baker may have impressed for the same reason. 

He would be a good get.  Bit more of a known quantity than other draftees even tho is just 19.  (LOL, one article had him listed as a mature age recruit - probably because it is his second draft).

With the year in the NEAFL he could be an early starter in the seniors (if good enough) as there seems to be a spot for his type of player.  Would be interesting to see who gets a game first - Baker or Balic.  I would bet on Baker - seems hungry!

Apparently has the nickname The Ginger Ninja. Should draft him on that alone. 

7 minutes ago, fndee said:

Apparently has the nickname The Ginger Ninja. Should draft him on that alone. 

If that doesn't do it, how about Ginger Baker after the famous drummer from Cream?

12 minutes ago, fndee said:

Apparently has the nickname The Ginger Ninja. Should draft him on that alone. 

Sounds like a good match up with Clarrie - could do not better than learning from him!!

 

A story about him from early last year when he won the RS nomination  http://neafl.com.au/round-6-rising-star-nominee-oskar-baker/

Sounds determined!

 

Here is a little video of the 2017 NEAFL game when he received a RS nomination. 

Looks ready built and fit, has a nice side step, bit of a fend-off happening and seems a clever player.

If we draft him I can see him getting a game early in the season.

Edited November 22, 20177 yr by Lucifer's Hero

1:46 looks pretty good too 

 

 

33 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

 

Looks ready built and fit, has a nice side step, bit of a fend-off happening and seems a clever player.

If we draft him I can see him getting a game early in the season.

What I liked the most about the small highlight package was the last goal - he ran from the back of the square through the middle and got the ball before getting round a couple of players and slotting the goal.  Showed all the things you mentioned above as well as a willingness to run hard to position and not just look for the cheap possession.

I wouldn't be disappointed if he fell to us at #30!

Surely @rpfc would have an opinion on this kid..?

 

From a couple of the Bigfooty Phantom's:

Snoop Dog:

Quote

# 44 St Kilda

OSKAR BAKER – APSLEY / MIDFIELDER / 182cm

Great story. 19yo who was a Lions Academy player but got cut, didn’t play Champs and missed out on being selected in last year’s draft. Wasn’t deterred and would have to be right in the mix for this year’s draft as a mid to late selection. He is genuinely quick (sub 3s for 20m) and also tested well for his vertical leap. As a player he doesn’t win huge amounts of the ball but when he gets it he can cut you up and get transition the ball with real speed. Has the ability to play numerous roles and not sure will play midfield initially at AFL level as not sure endurance good enough but offers scope particularly given he can get on the offensive and kick goals.

Knightmare:

Quote

51 Sydney - Oskar Baker
Height, Weight: 183cm, 77kg
Summary Profile: Previously cut from Brisbane's Academy. Outside line-breaker who takes on the game relentlessly with pace and hurt factor.

Young Talent Time:

Quote

49. Gold Coast - Oskar Baker (183cm, 76kg from Aspley)
Former Brisbane Academy member, the 19 year old outside midfielder has had a pretty impressive NEAFL season. He's got good speed off a wing, and pushes forward well. And I think it'd be a decent pick up after the selection of Bailey and Worpel for the Suns. Perhaps it's the top of his range, but if a local player is a genuine draft chance then the Queensland teams can afford to go early.

 

3 hours ago, Mach5 said:

Surely @rpfc would have an opinion on this kid..?

 

Nah, removed entirely from NEAFL now as Eastlake up here are the only licence. Soz. 

5 hours ago, Pink Freud said:

If that doesn't do it, how about Ginger Baker after the famous drummer from Cream?

Seems a better fit for St Kilda who already have a J Bruce on their list.

I would be interested in a comparison with Jack Petruccelle who has been named in connection with our picks also and has a fair bit of pace / line-breaking ability. @stevethemanjordan I believe you've seen a bit of Petruccelle and might be able to add some insight?

I love his name - would look good on the team sheet. Thats good enough for me to get my support.

But I defer to the better judges on his football talent. 

Everyone looks great on a highlights reel but he looks a good size and has some great speed and lateral movement.

We tend to have some pretty close eyes on the Northern Leagues under Taylor.

5 hours ago, Watts Jurrah Dunn? said:

As a player he doesn’t win huge amounts of the ball but when he gets it he can cut you up and get transition the ball with real speed.

Above from Snoop dog...

If he doesn't win a lot of ball in the NEAFL then I would be concerned with his footy smarts...

Edited November 23, 20177 yr by rjay

36 minutes ago, rjay said:

Above from Snoop dog...

If he doesn't win a lot of ball in the NEAFL then I would be concerned with his footy smarts...

Averages 16 disposals which probably isn't too bad for a 19 year old outside player. His team went 8-10 so were probably not all that great at getting the ball out, especially up against the stronger AFL reserves sides.

He looks like he plays a bit taller than a 6 foot guy and I think that's maybe where some of the interest is. If he can hold his own in the air as well as take the game on at ground level then he might not need to win a lot of gound balls.

I've seen a few times his endurance has been listed as needing to improve to play regular AFL midfield footy. That might be my biggest concern. If he runs hard and has the speed and evasive skills then that's almost enough for a good player. If he doesn't have above average endurance then he's probably going to be more of a Gary Rohan than an Isaac Smith.

1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

Averages 16 disposals which probably isn't too bad for a 19 year old outside player. His team went 8-10 so were probably not all that great at getting the ball out, especially up against the stronger AFL reserves sides.

He looks like he plays a bit taller than a 6 foot guy and I think that's maybe where some of the interest is. If he can hold his own in the air as well as take the game on at ground level then he might not need to win a lot of gound balls.

I've seen a few times his endurance has been listed as needing to improve to play regular AFL midfield footy. That might be my biggest concern. If he runs hard and has the speed and evasive skills then that's almost enough for a good player. If he doesn't have above average endurance then he's probably going to be more of a Gary Rohan than an Isaac Smith.

NEAFL though 'Dee'...players rack up the numbers in that comp.

I think a lot of the so called experts have decided we need some run and carry and have been blind sided by this.

They have us picking on a needs basis and as our own history tells us, this is a recipe for disaster.

I just want us to get the best available prospect.

2 minutes ago, rjay said:

NEAFL though 'Dee'...players rack up the numbers in that comp.

I think a lot of the so called experts have decided we need some run and carry and have been blind sided by this.

They have us picking on a needs basis and as our own history tells us, this is a recipe for disaster.

I just want us to get the best available prospect.

Do the outside players? If the inside mids are getting it 50 times there might be less footy for the runners!

I like the look of this guy and I think he suits our needs, but I'd rather take best available for a couple of picks and get him with the 3rd or 4th choice.

He's linked with our first pick much more than any other player and there's other speedy outside types in the draft so I think there's probably some truth to it. That said, once you get linked in one phantom draft the other 'media drafters' often just follow it.

21 minutes ago, rjay said:

They have us picking on a needs basis and as our own history tells us, this is a recipe for disaster.

I just want us to get the best available prospect.

You can relax JT said in his interview on the website we will be going best available. I think this is more likely this year than most of the past 10 years as we have depth in most positions and are now in a position to try and improve the talent in each position. So best available. 

7 hours ago, Pink Freud said:

If that doesn't do it, how about Ginger Baker after the famous drummer from Cream?

How about Ginger Meggs the comic strip character or Ginger the Movie Star, from Gilligan's Island.

15 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Do the outside players? If the inside mids are getting it 50 times there might be less footy for the runners!

I like the look of this guy and I think he suits our needs, but I'd rather take best available for a couple of picks and get him with the 3rd or 4th choice.

He's linked with our first pick much more than any other player and there's other speedy outside types in the draft so I think there's probably some truth to it. That said, once you get linked in one phantom draft the other 'media drafters' often just follow it.

Yet from memory you weren't that impressed with Bailey.

Now this is only going by the highlights but Bailey to me was very smooth, looked to have good skills and vision.

Baker, again by the highlights didn't really impress. For one thing his handball seems very mechanical and forced, almost like someone who is only just coming to terms with the skill.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see who we take this draft.

Lets hope we get a real gem here... 

There is a 3 minute highlights video of him available on the afl.com.au Draft Machine.

http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine

Type in Oscar Baker.

Looks a nice prospect but it almost looks like a non-contact league in that video, and I'm not sure AFL players will buy the candy he is selling.

Here's some info I put up on one of the draft threads:

Oskar played for Wilston Grange (my local team) up here in Qld before being poached by NEAFL team Aspley early in the 2017 season. Has pace to burn and kicked the NEAFL goal of the year from memory running/dodging his way from half-back before slotting it from 50 on the run. He will take some time and doesn't win a heap of the footy but his outside run and pace means he can have a real impact on games regardless. A mate from WG says a few other AFL clubs are interested as well. Was a Lions Academy member but was cut two years ago which seems to have spurred him on.

6 hours ago, rjay said:

Yet from memory you weren't that impressed with Bailey.

Now this is only going by the highlights but Bailey to me was very smooth, looked to have good skills and vision.

Baker, again by the highlights didn't really impress. For one thing his handball seems very mechanical and forced, almost like someone who is only just coming to terms with the skill.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see who we take this draft.

Lets hope we get a real gem here... 

I like Bailey much more than Baker if I was lining all the kids up in the draft. I don't have a full list, I don't watch the kids I just see a few games of state champs or TAC plus make judgements from what I read or see in highlights. I'm just not overly enamoured with him like others seem to be. Sounds like Bailey will be gone by our first pick and he would've been a nice fit there but I think there's others who are as good. Baker seems like someone fun for our later picks.