Liberatore commits to Dogs’ winning culture

WESTERN Bulldogs have locked away the central figure of its midfield rebuild, re-signing young clearance king Tom Liberatore for another two years.

Liberatore was not out of contract until the end of next season but finalised a two-year extension yesterday, delighted by the “winning culture” that had swept the kennel under new coach Luke Beveridge this season.

Liberatore, who turns 23 on Saturday, led the AFL for clearances and tackles in only his fourth season last year, and said he plans to play his entire career at the club where his father Tony played 283 games.

“I’m very happy at the club and I never intend to go anywhere and I was just keen to get this done with a minimum of fuss,” Liberatore said.

“I think we have a great young group of players and the signs over the first six rounds have been really encouraging, so we’ve just got to put it together now for longer periods.”

The Dogs are 4-2 ahead of Sunday’s clash against league-leaders Fremantle at Etihad Stadium.

Importantly, the new deal is a sign of the club’s full faith Liberatore will make a full recovery from a knee reconstruction, 10 weeks into a rehabilitation program designed to have him ready for the first day of pre-season.

Liberatore said he plans to spend the second half of the season working closely with three-time knee victim Clay Smith, in a bid to ensure his fellow onballer makes a full recovery in time for next season.

Liberatore said Smith played a crucial role in his own recovery in the early part of this year and would make every effort to repay the favour after Smith’s third knee reconstruction yesterday.

Liberatore said Smith, 22, was in good spirits in hospital yesterday.

“It was initial shock and just sheer sadness and heartbreak to see such a good player and good bloke go down, and it seemed like the whole stadium was in shock,” he said.

“So, I think I will have a role to play there, we can influence each other quite positively, because he really helped me and I can help him now and we can work off each other.”

Liberator’s father, Tony, completed a recovery from his second knee reconstruction in only 18 weeks, but Tom joked that “every time he tells me it is a week less, so it started out as 20 and now it is 16 weeks”.

Liberatore’s new deal brings his contract length into line with other recently re-signed stars Jackson Macrae and Jake Stringer.

List chief Jason McCartney said 77gamer Liberatore was a crucial part of their list build.