He managed just a couple of games and decided to return to the VFA, this time with North Melbourne.

A ruckman, Barker became an integral player in North's illustrious "invincibles" side that won premierships in 1910, 1914, 1915 and 1918.

Barker moved to Essendon's VFL side in mid-1921 in good faith that the merger would go ahead, but it ended up being blocked by the State Government, and Barker was unable to return to the VFA, having been suspended for crossing without a clearance.

Barker was a fireman by profession and less than three years after his last VFL match he died suddenly while at work at the Abbotsford Fire Station.

[2] North Melbourne best and fairest winners are awarded the Syd Barker Medal.