Get to know top prospect Chloe Baker-West ahead of the AFLW Draft
She was dominating under-10s footy with the boys at just eight years old, but Chloe Baker-West’s journey towards the AFLW Draft hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
Chloe Baker-West’s football talent was evident from a young age.
In her first season playing with the boys for Strathmore’s under-10s, Baker-West won the league best and fairest and picked up the best-on-ground medal in a losing Grand Final.
She was just eight years old at the time.
They were the first medals in what is now a packed trophy cabinet for the damaging halfback or midfielder, who is set to be one of the top picks in this month’s AFLW national draft.
Baker-West went on to win a premiership under the coaching of her father, Darren, at Strathmore in 2018.
In 2022 and 2023, she won back-to-back Vic Metro MVP awards as a bottom-age and then top-age player at the under-16 girls national championships.
Then injury struck last year.
“I dislocated and fractured two of my fingers. That set me out for like eight to 10 weeks,” Baker-West said.
“I couldn’t really do any ball skills or anything, so I was running … and my loads weren’t managed properly. I developed a stress reaction in my shin from there.
“But I learnt how to be resilient. I learnt how to overcome different situations and bounce back.”
Those injury issues meant Baker-West missed last year’s under-18 national championships for Vic Metro and she managed just a few seconds of this year’s championships due to another injury.
“I had a head knock in the first 10 seconds of the first game, which was pretty disappointing,” she said.
However, the Calder Cannons product showed plenty in nine Coates Talent League games this season, averaging 33.1 disposals and 5.8 marks to finish fifth in the league’s best-and-fairest count.
“My biggest strength is my footy IQ, my decision making and my ability to read the ball,” Baker-West said.
“I definitely love playing in the guts, but coming into an AFL club I’d probably start at half back and then hopefully work my way into that midfield.”
Baker-West doesn’t hesitate when asked who has had the biggest influence on her football.
“Dad. I have to give it to him,” she said.
“He’s worked really hard for me and has done everything I’ve asked of him. He’s been there for me since day one.”
Her dad is an accountant, but the Western Bulldogs fan isn’t planning to save her first pay cheque as an AFLW player.
“I’m a big shopper, so I love spending my money and going to the shopping centre,” she said. “Pay cheque goes in, I go and spend it.”
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Originally published as Get to know top prospect Chloe Baker-West ahead of the AFLW Draft
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