STRENGTHS:

+ Athleticism
+ Competitiveness
+ Ruck craft
+ Versatility
+ Endurance
+ Speed

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Marking
- Kicking precision

PROFILE:

In her most influential position, Lilly Baker can leap high, win ruck taps and then get involved at ground level, like she did as a bottom-ager in 2023. While that did not eventuate in 2024, she showed off her potential as a defender - a role she has played in the past - and was able to match up well on a number of tall opponents.

Her fundamentals such as kicking and in particular marking are areas that need improving, but she is always developing. Her competitive nature allows her to battle against opponents tall and small, while having enough strength to use her body well, and far superior athleticism in most situations. In short, Baker can engage in a number of scenarios one-on-one where she can win the ball.

Her speed and endurance combination for a 180cm player is phenomenal, finishing sixth in both the 20m sprint (3.279 seconds) and the 2km time trial (7:52 minutes) at the AFLW National Draft Combine. Her ability to run all day enables Baker to play through the ruck, and likely that is a potential long-term goal. However getting that second role in defence is key given Baker is a little undersized for the modern day ruck at AFLW level, though with her leap she can certainly compete, and would be a very good second ruck too.

While athleticism underpins her game, she is quite clinical at the stoppages, shown by her bottom-age season. When playing for the Lions Academy as number one ruck, Baker averaged 25.7 hitouts to go with 11.7 disposals and 4.7 tackles across three games. She gave a glimpse into what the future might look like, and her form between the Lions Academy and Queensland is what earned her a place in the AFLW Academy.

Without a doubt Baker is still a raw and developing prospect. She does have to work on her kicking - particularly short kicking - and her overhead marking. However once she has the ball, she can explode off half-back like few others, and do it for four quarters with an enormous aerobic capacity. No doubt those elements give clubs plenty of promise that she can develop into a top notch tall at the elite level.

Overall, Baker looms as a value pick, with the Queenslander having no qualms about moving interstate to chase her dreams, and she fits a need for plenty of clubs across the country. While there are those areas of improvement, her upside is evident and she has some fantastic athletic traits that fans will enjoy watching.