The West Coast Eagles have landed Liam Baker from Richmond and added Carlton goalkicker Matt Owies as part of a three-club trade.
In a deal confirmed on Tuesday, the Eagles effectively moved back nine places in the draft from pick No.3 to 12 to secure Baker, Owies and pick 73 from Carlton.
As part of the swap West Coast also sent selections 63 and 68 to the Blues.
Baker joins the Eagles on a five-year contract, while Owies – who kicked 33 goals this year for the Blues - has signed a three-year deal.
We have completed a trade with Richmond and Carlton, to welcome Liam Baker and Matt Owies to the club!
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) October 15, 2024
Details --> https://t.co/0HLsBdOttX pic.twitter.com/uUCJjFpF0E
A dual premiership player, Baker was runner-up in Richmond’s best and fairest in 2021 and tied for fifth this year - his fifth-straight top-six finish.
The versatile 26-year-old from Lake Grace adds class and leadership to the Eagles’ emerging playing group, and he was named the AFLPA’s most courageous player in 2022.
“We are delighted to get a deal done for Liam and we believe he can make an immediate impact for us in 2025 and in the years ahead,” List Manager Matt Clarke said today.
“He is an outstanding character in the prime of his career who has a strong relationship with our new coach Andrew McQualter and he is eager to get to work.
“Liam’s skill and dynamic playing style makes him a valuable asset for us as we embed a new gamestyle.”
Owies, 27, is a small forward who has kicked 60 goals from 41 games across the past two seasons for the Blues.
“It’s exciting to bring Matt across to the west after two really strong seasons for Carlton,” Clarke said.
“Matt is a proven goalkicker who brings pressure at ground level and we think he can complement our talented forward line.”
Owies and Baker join the latter’s former Richmond teammate Jack Graham in the west this player movement period after his free agency switch to the Eagles last week.
West Coast currently holds picks 12, 26 and 73 in next month’s national draft.