Baker’s delight with new club

NORTH Hobart Oval was once a home ground for Nic Baker but this weekend it’s enemy territory when he runs out for Lauderdale against North Hobart.

Last season Baker played for the Hobart City Demons but, after the return of the North Hobart name left the club divided, the tall teenager made the move to Lauderdale.

“It will be weird playing there,” Baker said. “I will just go out and play footy and I’m sure once we get into it that feeling will go.”

Baker went to Lauderdale hoping to be in an environment that would help him develop.

“I wanted to have experienced players around me,” he said.

“If I want to be ready for an AFL environment, I feel like I need that. With some of the toplevel players leaving in the preseason, I wasn’t sure what North Hobart could offer me in that respect and I knew Lauderdale had experienced players.”

Baker has only played three games for the Bombers this season, with most of his year spent playing for either Tasmania or the Allies, but the 17-year-old is confident his new team can give the premiership a shake.

“They have been really inclusive and have been very supportive,” Baker said.

“On field they are great at providing me with direction. We haven’t been in great form lately but I think we can find that form and go all the way.”

Last month Baker found out he was one of four Tasmanians invited to October’s AFL draft combine.

A player must have interest from at least three AFL clubs to earn an invitation, meaning Baker is being looked at.

But he says he is not getting ahead of himself.

“To be honest, I have no idea if I’ll be picked up,” he said.

“I’m just going to give it my best shot and hope things go my way.”