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

Q: Chloe, tell us a bit about your footy journey?

CBW: “Basically 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 I’m just at Cannons. I’ve been at Cannons the past three years, so I’m loving it.”

Q: You’ve had some cool Metro experiences, won a couple of 16s MVPs, what was that like for you?

CBW: “It 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.”

Q: You had some injury interruptions last year, what did you have and how did you recover?

CBW:“I had dislocated fractured fingers and then a stress fracture in my shin. It was devastating and didn’t get to do certain things that I’d like to do like play through the champs for Metro but we built from there, we’re getting back fitter, getting back to some training now. Looking to play some good footy for the rest of the year.”

Q: Where do you see yourself playing this year?

CBW: “For Cannons, hopefully midfield, half-back. Playing champs or Academy games, I love that half-back role when I’m in the mid, small forward sometimes, but I like playing everywhere.”

Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?

CBW:“My 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.”

Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?

CBW:“Looking 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.”

Q: What are you looking to set for yourself in terms of goals this year?

CBW:“Biggest goals are probably recover well, get the recovery and after games. Then just be consistent, consistent with my games, don’t get shattered if there’s one bad game, and then train hard. Bring the intensity at training and it transfers into games.”

Q: Who’s the most individual influence on your career?

CBW:“My 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, he’s always been there for me through thick and thing.”

Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?

CBW: “Western Bulldogs.”

Q: Is there a reason for that?

CBW: “Dad grew up in Footscray, so I’ve always been around the Bulldogs, so loved it.”

Q: Players at the top level you look up to?

CBW:“Deanna Berry for the Bulldogs, AFLW captain and Marcus Bontempelli, have always been around them.”