Baker, who is the coach of the Maitland Rams, was the competition’s top goal scorer with 10 in four games at the tournament on July 23-25 in Sydney, but will only play in the NSW team at the Interstate Challenge in Canberra in October if several players pull out.

Baker represented Newcastle with Rams teammate Brett Gallagher and started off the tournament with four goals against Parkes in their 7-1 win on Friday.

Baker followed that up with a goal against Illawarra on Saturday in Newcastle’s 5-2 loss and three more against Central Coast that afternoon in their 7-0 triumph.

The Rams’ mentor then scored twice against Sydney in the semi-final as Newcastle were beaten 5-2.

Baker could have increased his goal scoring tally in the play-off for third place against Bathurst, which was set down for Sunday, but both teams decided to call it off and a toss of a coin decided the result, with Newcastle granted a 1-0 win.

Baker’s 10 goals accounted for more than half of the 18 banged in by Newcastle during the four games and the experienced forward was confused with his selection as a shadow.

“I don’t know how the leading goal scorer of a tournament could ever just make it as shadow,” he said. “It was a bit disappointing but I guess it’s a matter of who you know and not how you play. “I think they (NSW) had a bit of a problem scoring goals at last year’s Interstate Challenge. I actually got the call up late to go and play for NSW last year but couldn’t make it. This year I scored a heap of goals and still didn’t get picked. I guess next year I’ll have to bang in 20 goals to get their attention. But it’s all right, I’m not too worried about veterans hockey and I’m going to keep my focus on the Rams.”

Despite his disappointment about the selection Baker said if he received the call up for NSW he would make the trip to Canberra in October.