31.18 (204). St Kilda's season suffered during an oppressively bizarre stretch of games mid-season which included six losses in a row, before a close 3 point win over second placed North Melbourne. Barker collected his first ever 30 disposals or more game against Melbourne in Round 17. The team rebounded to win four of the next five games to sit just outside the top five, separated from fifth-placed Geelong by only two premiership points courtesy of their draw against Richmond in Round 3. In Round 22 the Saints hosted at Moorabbin, the standings suggesting St Kilda needed a win and Fitzroy to defeat Geelong to play Finals. The Saints put in one of their finest displays in recent seasons, thoroughly outplaying the Blues in front of a packed Moorabbin crowd to win by 40 points. Barker racked up 28 disposals and 2 goals, and was listed among St Kilda's best afield. St Kilda finished the season an underwhelming 6th. Barker was the Saints leading disposal winner for the season, racking up 493 disposals to go with his 87 Marks, 23 Goals and 92 Free kicks for. It was his most prolific season at St Kilda. By now Barker was one of the established stars of the VFL, and fortunately his coaches at St Kilda FC gave him free rein to launch at the ball for his marks, resulting in a career highlight reel of marks that ranks alongside the greats Australian rules football. In 1979 Barker was restricted to 15 games through injury, averaging just under 20 disposals per game. His 17 disposal 2 goal effort a standout in the Saints Round 1 win over Hawthorn, in what was a dismal year for the team as a whole. Uncontrollable outside pressures were beginning to mount on St Kilda FC, and they would have a devastating effect in the following years. 1980 saw Barker again restricted through injury, playing 17 games for the season averaging 18.5 disposals per game. Second Best & Fairest 1981 With external financial pressures beginning to mount on St Kilda FC in the early 1980's, Barker was again a standout leader at the Saints in 1981. He achieved his highest disposals per game figure for his career, averaging a massive 24.7 disposals per game over 19 games, including six matches where he amassed 30 disposals or more. He was St Kilda Football Club's leading disposal winner for