Not enough EFC mentions from The Messiah.
HIGH volume dynamo Chloe Baker-West is ready to go in 2025 after injury interruptions curtailed her bottom-age season. She showed prior to injury that she is more than capable of matching it with the best of her peers, and has an incredible CV that includes two Under 16s Vic Metro MVPs along the way.
A member of the National Academy, Baker-West is touted as one of the best smalls in the draft, capable of playing on all three lines, and is a production specialist, regularly racking up 30-plus, and even 40-plus disposals in a game. We spoke to her at the recent Coates Talent League Preseason Testing Day.
LAST SEASON STATISTICS
| Team | Games | Disposals | Marks | Tackles | Clearances | Inside 50s | Rebound 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calder Cannons | 2 | 39.5 | 2.4 | 5.9 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
Q: Chloe, tell us a bit about your footy journey?
CBW: āBasically I started playing off with the boys when I was eight, in Under 10s. Been playing with the boys for nine years, transferred over to the girls in Under 16s at Strathmore footy club and now Iām just at Cannons. Iāve been at Cannons the past three years, so Iām loving it.ā
Q: Youāve had some cool Metro experiences, won a couple of 16s MVPs, what was that like for you?
CBW: āIt was amazing. I kind of think it was a boost of confidence in my footy and it just started the journey off for me and we just built from there.ā
Q: You had some injury interruptions last year, what did you have and how did you recover?
CBW:āI had dislocated fractured fingers and then a stress fracture in my shin. It was devastating and didnāt get to do certain things that Iād like to do like play through the champs for Metro but we built from there, weāre getting back fitter, getting back to some training now. Looking to play some good footy for the rest of the year.ā
Q: Where do you see yourself playing this year?
CBW: āFor Cannons, hopefully midfield, half-back. Playing champs or Academy games, I love that half-back role when Iām in the mid, small forward sometimes, but I like playing everywhere.ā
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
CBW:āMy ability to kick, hit targets, burst out of the backs and be able to hit a target on the run. Then game sense, I love reading the play from half-back and being able to see the whole vision.ā
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
CBW:āLooking to improve my burst, my speed out of a pack, taking on the first five steps and being able to take the game a little bit more rather than dumping the footy on my boot a little bit more.ā
Q: What are you looking to set for yourself in terms of goals this year?
CBW:āBiggest goals are probably recover well, get the recovery and after games. Then just be consistent, consistent with my games, donāt get shattered if thereās one bad game, and then train hard. Bring the intensity at training and it transfers into games.ā
Q: Whoās the most individual influence on your career?
CBW:āMy dad. My dad has had the biggest influence on me since I was little. Being around footy he used to coach me all the time, heās always been there for me through thick and thing.ā
Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?
CBW: āWestern Bulldogs.ā
Q: Is there a reason for that?
CBW: āDad grew up in Footscray, so Iāve always been around the Bulldogs, so loved it.ā
Q: Players at the top level you look up to?
CBW:āDeanna Berry for the Bulldogs, AFLW captain and Marcus Bontempelli, have always been around them.ā
