Melbourne rookie Oskar Baker’s emotional tribute to mum Trudie, who died of cancer

Melbourne rookie Oskar Baker’s debut took on special significance on Friday night as he fulfiled his promise to his mother Trudie, who died of cancer two years ago. Watch the emotional tribute.

Melbourne debutant Oskar Baker paid tribute to his mother Trudie, who died of cancer two year's ago.

Melbourne rookie Oskar Baker’s debut took on special significance on Friday night as it was the fulfilment of a promise to his mother Trudie, who died of cancer two years ago.

Baker, the 48th pick in the 2017 draft, pledged to his mum he would make an AFL list and revealed he wears a black armband in every game of footy he plays in memory of her.

“That’s just a little indicator I thought of a couple of years ago just to have her with me in every game I play just as a little reminder,” the Queenslander said.

A promise fulfilled. ❤

Oskar Baker's debut was special, in more ways than one.#MyHeartBeatsTrue pic.twitter.com/AnYwROj7yu

— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) May 21, 2019

In emotional footage released by the Demons, Baker’s father Lee choked back tears as he presented the 20-year-old with his Melbourne jumper and paid tribute to Trudie before Friday night’s debut against West Coast.

“Mate I’ve had a ball and we’ve had a ball the last few years, sitting back and watching you go up a level of football every year,” Lee Baker said.

“Every time you’ve been up a level of football, you’ve looked at home, you’ve looked comfortable like you belong, until you arrive here mate, at the start line.

“You’ve done it through a combination of tenacity but I think mostly, mate, resilience, and they’re all fairly handy traits to have as a footballer.

“They’re all traits I wish I could say came from me, but I suspect mostly came from your mother.

Melbourne debutant Oskar Baker paid tribute to his mother Trudie, who died of cancer two year's ago.

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“You made a promise to her and you’re about to fulfil that promise.

“No one here is expecting any more of you tonight than to go and play your role, just play your role and when the ball’s there to go you go … but if you get a chance mate, take ‘em on.”

From Aspley in the NEAFL, the 184cm hard man, dubbed the ‘Ginger Ninja’ and ‘Sauce’ for his fiery red hair, had 10 disposals in the Demons’ manful loss to the Eagles.