WESTERN Bulldogs recruit Oskar Baker is loving his start to life at the Whitten Oval.<\/p>\n
After being delisted by Melbourne at the end of 2022, Baker was offered a lifeline by the Dogs as a pre-season supplemental selection and he\u2019s already begun repaying the club\u2019s faith.<\/p>\n
So far, Baker has played every game in 2023 for his new club, for two wins and two losses, averaging almost a goal a game to go along with a solid 16 disposals per outing on the wing.<\/p>\n
Now that he\u2019s starting to cement his spot, Baker said he feels like he\u2019s getting more confident by the week as his performances begin to track in the right direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve absolutely loved my time so far at the Dogs,\u201d Baker told SEN Crunch Time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve fit in really well, the fresh start has done wonders for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the way I\u2019ve started the year, I\u2019m just getting more confidence week-in, week-out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just really trying to cement my spot in the team and contribute every week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m loving every minute of it, hopefully, I can continue to grow and become the player I want to and I think I\u2019m capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Baker is coming off a year where he failed to break through for a senior game with Melbourne, the 24-year-old believes it was his best year in the system.<\/p>\n
He reflected on the importance of playing a strong game in Casey\u2019s VFL grand final win over Southport, an outing that proved he was capable of playing above the state-league level.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking back on it, I think it (the VFL grand final) was pretty important,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut not just that game, looking back on it now as weird as it is because I didn\u2019t play an AFL game last year, I almost found it my strongest AFL season to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought my form was really consistent and that was going to hold me in really good stead if I had another opportunity to perform again this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s really set me up with the way I\u2019ve started this year and play my footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut yeah, I do think that grand final performance last year nailed me to get another opportunity with the Dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n
With his time at Melbourne seemingly coming to an end following 15 games for the club midway through last season, Baker spoke about how he ended up a Bulldog and his relationship with new coach Luke Beveridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found out through my manager there was a bit of interest from the Dogs midway through last year,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen as the season went on and I got delisted by Melbourne, those conversations continued to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI caught up with Luke Beveridge and Sam Power in the off-season and those conversations got deeper.<\/p>\n
\u201cLucky enough I was able to make my way to the club\u2026 from day one I\u2019ve walked in Bevo has really backed me in.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s encouraged me to use my strengths, my run and carry and speed with the ball to try and create offence for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s filled me with confidence to get out there, play to my strengths and give me the belief that I do belong and that I can be a real role player for our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
After starting the season 0-2, the Bulldogs go in search of their third-straight win when they face Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.<\/p>\n