Home

Richmond suffers heavy defeat as Pingaring star Liam Baker racks up 50 AFL games

Taj StubberNarrogin Observer
Richmond’s Liam Baker looks to offload the ball during their game against Geelong on Friday night.
Camera IconRichmond’s Liam Baker looks to offload the ball during their game against Geelong on Friday night. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The 50-game milestone for Pingaring’s Liam Baker was not a successful outing as Richmond were trashed by Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

Baker’s rise to prominence from the Tigers rookie list to a dual premiership player has happened in quick time and the popular figure ran out in his 50th AFL game in the yellow and black last week.

The Tiger led by nine points at half-time but the Cats slammed home 13 goals to two in the second half of the grand final rematch to run out 63-point winners.

Baker was impressive with 20 disposals, five marks, four clearances, three tackles, two inside 50s and he kicked a behind.

Teammate Jayden Short was playing in his 100th game as well, but they were not able to celebrate with a win.

Liam Baker, right, with Jayden Short ahead of their milestone games.
Camera IconLiam Baker, right, with Jayden Short ahead of their milestone games. Credit: Richmond FC

Meanwhile, Katanning’s Shai Bolton rode the highs and lows of an AFL career in a matter of hours at the weekend.

Bolton took a mark of the year contender in front of a big crowd on Friday night that will be talked about for a long time.

However, just a day later Bolton was involved in a nightclub fight along with premiership teammate Daniel Rioli.

Bolton kicked 3.1 from 21 possessions along with his spectacular mark in the goal square over Geelong’s Mark Blicavs, but his weekend went south from there.

Katanning’s Shai Bolton takes a mark of the year contender.
Camera IconKatanning’s Shai Bolton takes a mark of the year contender. Credit: Michael Willson

Rioli was punched in the face and Bolton broke his wrist in a nightclub fight on Saturday night.

Bolton’s injury and expected time on the sidelines comes at a bad time for Richmond, which sits 4-4 after eight rounds and has a mounting casualty list.

Rioli is expected to be cleared to play against Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails