Introduction
Thomas Francis Liberatore (born 16 May 1992) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is the eldest son of former Bulldogs player Tony Liberatore.
Early Career
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Liberatore represented Victoria at under-16 level in 2008 before being drafted to the Bulldogs from the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup with the 40th selection in the 2010 AFL Draft as a father-son selection, after Sydney nominated their intention to draft him with first-round pick (pick 21) if available. Fellow schoolmate and friend Mitch Wallis was also drafted at pick 22, after the two had played together for club (St.Bernards Old Collegians) and school St Kevin's College, since a young age.
He was selected in the All-Australian team after the 2010 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he had averaged 22 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency, five clearances and four tackles.
In the 2010 TAC Cup Grand Final, he had 28 disposals in the Cannons' 58-point defeat of Gippsland Power. He made his debut in the Western Bulldogs' Round One defeat to Essendon, being named in the best for the side.
AFL Career
Liberatore played 16 games in his debut season, averaging over 18 possessions per game and winning the Chris Grant Medal as the Bulldogs' best first-year player.
In the early hours of 5 August 2012, after a heavy loss to the Kangaroos in Round 19, Liberatore was found by police unconscious on King Street and was questioned about drug offences. He was subsequently suspended for the remainder of the season by the Bulldogs. In addition, he was issued a $5,000 suspended fine, required to undergo club-driven counselling and education, and be engaged in full-time employment for the following six weeks. Liberatore issued a public apology for his actions.
Liberatore redeemed himself the following season, establishing himself as one of the AFL's premier inside midfielders; he ranked second in the league behind only Sydney's Josh Kennedy in both clearances and contested possessions. He was recognized for his efforts with selection in the AFL Players' Association's inaugural 22under22 team, and won the Doug Hawkins Medal and the Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player award at the Bulldogs' best-and-fairest count. He also polled 14 votes at the Brownlow Medal count.
In 2014, despite an ordinary year for the Bulldogs, Liberatore continued his outstanding individual form, registering over 500 possessions for the second consecutive season and leading the league in tackles (173). He won his first Charles Sutton Medal and a number of other club awards.
Returning after missing the whole 2015 season due to a knee injury, Liberatore was a key driving force as the Bulldogs broke their 62-year premiership drought.
Liberatore suffered another knee injury in the first game of the 2018 AFL season against the Greater Western Sydney. During his rehabilitation, he took time to engage in other activities outside of football.
Statistics
- Statistics are correct to the end of Round 8, 2019 season
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
| Led the league after season and finals |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | Averages (per game) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 119 | 174 | 293 | 30 | 77 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 7.4 | 10.9 | 18.3 | 1.9 | 4.8 |
| 2012 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 179 | 172 | 351 | 64 | 65 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 10.5 | 10.1 | 20.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| 2013 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 285 | 286 | 571 | 66 | 137 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 26.0 | 3.0 | 6.2 |
| 2014 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 244 | 278 | 522 | 61 | 173 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 23.7 | 2.8 | 7.9 |
| 2015 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 172 | 257 | 429 | 46 | 114 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 8.2 | 12.2 | 20.4 | 2.2 | 5.4 |
| 2017 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 101 | 209 | 310 | 36 | 117 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 5.6 | 11.6 | 17.2 | 2.0 | 6.5 |
| 2018 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | ||||||||
| 2019 | Western Bulldogs | 21 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 90 | 98 | 188 | 20 | 36 | 0.25 | 0.75 | 11.25 | 12.25 | 23.5 | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Career | 125 | 41 | 23 | 1192 | 1475 | 2667 | 323 | 719 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 9.5 | 11.8 | 21.3 | 2.6 | 5.75 | ||
Honours and achievements
| Brownlow Medal votes | |
| Season | Votes |
|---|---|
| 2011 | — |
| 2012 | — |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | — |
| 2016 | 1 |
| Total | 20 |
AFL
- Team
- AFL premiership: 2016
- Individual
- Charles Sutton Medal (Western Bulldogs B&F): 2014
- Scott West Most Courageous Award - Western Bulldogs : 2016
- Doug Hawkins Medal - Western Bulldogs: 2013
- Western Bulldogs Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player Award: 2012
- Chris Grant Medal - Western Bulldogs Best First Year Player: 2011
TAC Cup
- Team
- 2× TAC Cup premiers - Calder Cannons : 2009 , 2010