A former VFL young gun will return home to pull on the Black and White in 2025
A favourite Glenorchy son has returned to the nest just in time for the 2025 season. Read how it came about.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A favourite Glenorchy son has returned to the nest just in time for the 2025 season.
Defender Baker Smith will line up for the Magpies this season after returning from a stint in the VFL.
Magpies coach Josh Arnold said his club did what they could to get him in the black and white.
“Once we heard he was keen to come back to Tassie, we chased him,” Arnold said.
“He is a really great talent, and will be an exciting aspect to our footy club.
“Bakes did tell me that he does want to come back in some sort of a leadership role and help develop the younger players coming through.
“He has expressed to us that he wanted to help develop those players who are aspiring to get to that higher level and continue on their football journey.
“So there is that opportunity for him to grow and really step into that leadership role along with some other guys have also come into the club who have also bolstered that area which is exciting for the senior guys as well.
“That will help make my job easier as coach as well, but also just to be able to bounce ideas off of him.”
Smith’s father was an assistant coach at the Magpies when the tall defender was growing up before he made the move to the VFL three seasons ago.
“His old man was the assistant when he was a young lad, about 10 years ago and he was a pleasure to have around the club,” Arnold said.
“I remember Baker being there around the footy club as a kid and talking to him that is one of his memories as well.
“He always wanted to potentially pull on the black and white and be around the footy club and some of us guys who are still there, I suppose that is another nice little carrot for him as well which is also being part of what we are building and that’s really exciting.
“Getting him back as a senior footballer and returning to our group it is the cherry on top for us.
“We have been searching for another big guy to bolster our tall brigade and he is the right fit for us, which is exciting.
“He is really pumped to be back home and being part of the new competition and showing everyone what he can do and what he has got to offer.
“And that is exciting not just for us as a club but for the competition and our supporters.”
Smith played for the Northern Bullants in 2023 before making the move to Port Melbourne in 2024.
More Coverage
Originally published as A former VFL young gun will return home to pull on the Black and White in 2025
Run home: Key players in race for CTPL Women’s finals
There is just three rounds to go in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League women’s competition before the big dance with the season expected to finish on a grand final preview.
How new look Roos plan to overcome summer of change
It’s been an off-season of massive changes at Clarence with around “10 senior players” moving on from the club. But new coach Grant Fagan is excited by the opportunities for the younger brigade.