Follow along every Tuesday, as we celebrate Hawthorn champions, past and present...
After being just one of seven players to shift from Fitzroy to Brisbane as part of their famous merger, Barker arrived at the Hawks via a trade at the end of 1997.
Initially drafted by the Lions with Pick 25 in the ‘92 national draft, Barker moved to Hawthorn in a deal that saw both he and teammate Nathan Chapman exchanged for Brad Scott.
Despite playing 22 games across his first two seasons, it wasn’t until 2000 that the 194cm key position player cemented a spot up forward in the Hawks’ line-up.
Barker booted three bags of four goals across that season to finish with 33, before a career-best campaign the following in 2001 saw him lead the club’s goalkicking and claim third spot in the best and fairest.
That season saw the Hawks only narrowly missed out on a grand final spot as Barker reached a career-high 47 goals, with personal-best hauls of five majors against both St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs.
His most memorable performance in the brown and gold was also arguably that season’s do-or-die semi-final clash with Port Adelaide.
Trailing in the final quarter, the Hawks mounted a come-from-behind win with Barker twice threading the eye of the needle from a tight angle to lead the side to a three-point triumph.
Barker endured a tough run with injury for the rest of his time at the club, playing just 46 games over the next five seasons and in 2006 announced his retirement.
Barker finished his career with 168 games 127 goals and, including 113 appearances over nine years for the Hawks.
He returned to Waverley for a two-year stint as forward line coach in 2009, before shifting to the Blues where he's played an important coaching role for the past seven seasons.
Catch up: Champion Tuesday - Nick Holland
Best Performance
14 disposals, 11 marks and five goals v St Kilda, Round 7 2001
Best Venue
Docklands - played 18 games, averaged 11.28 disposals, kicked 34 goals
Best Opponent
Collingwood - met 12 times, averaged 11 disposals, kicked 17 goals
