Libba affirms Bulldog loyalty

TOM Liberatore has pledged his loyalty to the Western Bulldogs as his manager discusses a new deal with the club this week.

That meeting between his player manager Tom Williams and new list manager Sam Power had been arranged before Liberatore tore his right ACL at the weekend.

Williams yesterday said Liberatore had already said he would not test his free agency rights with rival clubs.

Now it becomes a question of pricing his value, given his excellent form is offset by him being dropped in the past two seasons.

He had been set for a fantastic season but his impressive pre-season form was curtailed by the knee injury.

“We were planning to catch up this week anyway,” said Williams, himself restricted to 85 games by injury in eight years with the Dogs.

“We had touched base after the Moe [JLT] game and it was more about Tom getting his feet under him after last year.

“He was in a good frame of mind. They were really happy with him and Tom really wants to re-sign.

“I don’t think it changes that much. I have no doubt something will get done.

“They have always been really good to deal with in regards to injured players and how they deal with them.”

Carlton knee victim Sam Docherty has become a quasiassistant coach in ehis year of recovery, even taking up a role on the bench during games.

Liberatore will discuss what role he plays at the club after his surgery this week to repair what was his “good” knee.

He recently started work on an initiative helping buskers live-stream their performances so people can donate money over the internet.

Liberatore is only 25, so might have been able to ask for a lucrative long-term deal off the back of a slashing 2018.

He will have to set more modest financial demands now, but has never been driven to play football for money.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said on Sunday the club would have to help him in his recovery after he battled to stay focused after his last ACL reconstruction.

But Williams is confident that Liberatore will take his recovery in his stride — the inside midfielder is in good spirits considering the setback.

“He has started a charity, he will put some time and effort into that,” he said. “I am not sure what the club has in store for him. They will want to keep him busy.

“He will have the surgery and get through that.

“He is 25. It’s a kick in the guts but like anyone else he has matured and I am sure that will make it a bit smoother.”