Baynes had started playing senior WAFL football for Perth at the age of just 16.
[1] A ruckman and key forward, Baynes represented Western Australia in interstate football before being recruited by Carlton for the 1985 VFL season.
Bayes appeared in the first 11 rounds of the 1985 season, performing well in a win over Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with 16 disposals.
[2] The following year he won Carlton's reserves 'Best and Fairest' award and twice turned out for the seniors late in the season.
After two seasons at Carlton, Baynes returned to Perth.