Garry Baker

DOB: 24 March, 1953
MFC Debut: Round 1, 1974 against Carlton at Princes Park
Last MFC Game: Round 13, 1981 against Footscray at Waverley

Games: 127 (147 total)
Goals: 116 (126 total)
Career Statistics (external link)

Wins	Draws	Losses	Winning %
33	0	94	25.98

From: Meeniyan-Dumbalk/Footscray

Number: 1 1974-1981

Honours:
Best and Fairest - 1978
Best First Year Player - 1974
150 Heroes selection

Baker had debuted for Footscray in the first of week of 1972, but didn't play another game under the second round the next year. He managed 13 in total that year, for a total of 14 before being swapped by Footscray along with Charles Pagnoccolo and John Keast for Greg Parke

He had an instant impact in the poor 1974 side, and won the Best First Year Player award. Improving his fitness, and general around the ground play Baker quickly became his side's number one ruckman.

Baker won the Best and Fairest in 1978 but suffered a knee injury in Round 1, 1979 which caused him to miss the next six matches. He had already injured his other knee during a basketball game at a sports exhibition during the pre-season.

He returned to play 16 matches for the season and another 16 in 1980 before he hurt his knee again. He played his last game in Round 13, 1981 but missed the rest of the season after more exploratory surgery on the knee. He missed the 1982 season but remained on the list until March 1983 when he was delisted. After a practice match the match committee decided that Baker was too old at 30 to regain full fitness again.

Baker immediately joined Sydney but played just five games in 1983 and finished his career in the VFA with stints at Mordialloc and Moorabbin. He later moved to Hobart to operate a hotel.