Departing Richmond CEO Brendon Gale is confident the club will retain the services of Liam Baker.
The Tigers’ joint vice-captain is out of contract this year and is attracting serious interest from both Western Australian clubs Fremantle and Wet Coast.
WA native Baker recently purchased a $2.2 million waterfront property in Perth, strengthening suggestions that he could be on the way out the Punt Road exit door at season’s end.
Gale indicated that Baker’s house purchase was merely a clever investment and is confident he will commit his future to the club.
“He’s an astute investor, Liam,” Gale said on SEN’s The Run Home.
“We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but he’s entitled to invest his money, and good on him.
“But he’s a really important player for our footy club and an important part of our future.
“He’s got an important decision to make and we’re confident it will be with us.”
The versatile and tenacious 26-year-old, who is a two-time premiership player with the Tigers, has played 117 games in yellow and black.
Baker has missed the last two matches with general soreness, but Adem Yze’s injury-hit side will hope to have him back for this Saturday night’s Dreamtime clash with Essendon at the MCG.
Listen to Gale on Baker and a number of other Tigers topics below: