He left Essendon at the end of 1988, aged 32.
I was surprised by him being that old. Thought he left at a younger age.
Me too!
I thought he left in 86!
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https://australianfootball.com/players/player/leon+baker/11884
One of those prodigiously talented individuals who seem able to rack up numerous possessions almost without trying, Leon Baker might conceivably have achieved much more in league football had he not been such a late starter and possessed of a wanderlust nature. When he made his debut with Swan Districts in 1981 he was already approaching 25 years of age, having played all his earlier senior football with such country teams as Avenel, Seymour and South Bunbury.
He was an immediate and pronounced success at Swans, vying for best afield honours with team mate Graham Melrose in the 1982 grand final win over Claremont, and earning a club fairest and best award the following year. Courageous, tough and abundantly skilled, he was as close to the ideal centreman as could be imagined.
In 1984 Baker transferred to Essendon, where he continued to flourish. He was one of the best players on view in the 1984 Grand Final against Hawthorn (reviewed here), where a classic ‘blind turn’ and goal mid-way through the last quarter to put the Bombers in front is still talked about. He repeated the strong performance in the 1985 decider, and was a key factor in the Bombers winning both matches. In a star studded team, his second place finishes in both flag years was testament to his standing at the club. He played a total of 86 games in five seasons at Essendon, and notwithstanding injury problems in the final two years, is remembered as one of its favourite sons.
Leon Baker represented West Australia at state of origin level on three occasions, and was selected in the 1985 All Australian team. Despite the brevity of his stay at Swan Districts, he was chosen as centreman in the club’s official ‘Team of the Century’.
Author - John Devaney with additional material from Adam Cardosi
and this is the info on his Grandfather Ted Thomas
Ted Thomas was a superb half back flank specialist who began his senior career with Oakleigh after the First World War before being signed by Melbourne in 1921. Since winning their only VFL pennant in 1900, the Redlegs had persistently under-achieved, and this pattern continued during Thomas’ first four seasons at the club. In 1925, however, Bert Chadwick took over as coach, sparking an immediate improvement: Melbourne reached the finals that season for the first time in a decade, and the following year upset the odds with a storming 17.17 (119) to 9.8 (62) Challenge Final defeat of Collingwood. Playing in his usual spot on a half back flank, Thomas was a key contributor to the win.
In 1930-31, he was a member of two more premiership sides, this time back at Oakleigh, where he played between 1929 and 1931. His final season in league football came at Melbourne in 1932, bringing his final tally of VFL games to 104 in nine seasons.
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I think just US
Leon retired form footy after finishing up with us from memory. He was a football nomad and played all over Australia. He was gun player too.
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I can still recall that sudden crushing heartbreak when 3LO’s news bulletin announced that Wanganeen was leaving…
Leon and his wife (Spider, I think) were doing cleaning jobs in Port Douglas a few years back.
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I did some digging to enjoy again Sam’s excitement at joining the Bombers.
Please stay big Sammy !!
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PLEASE RE-SIGN.
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I personally want him gone so that we can play Zac Clarke forever.
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ANNOUNCE.
More Drapes please.
He’s a very bright prospect
We are going to sign all the SA lads and you Vicco’s are going to love it!
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Hopefully it works out better than all the wa lads (with one obvious exception)
Correct - and they still are.
A super player.
Francis, Redman and any others?
Fan tay see yah?
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BZT
Snelling
Francis
Fantasia
Houlahan
Redman
Zerk Thatcher
Draper (rookie)
Snelling