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Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Tom Liberatore and the Western Bulldogs remain apart on the length of a new deal.
While a fresh contract for club captain and Brownlow medal favourite Marcus Bontempelli hogs the headlines, the Liberatore negotiations have hit an early hurdle.
Liberatore is in white-hot form for the 8-1 Bulldogs as the AFL’s No.1 ranked player for centre clearances and total clearances after Round 9. He also sits No.2 in the competition for contested possessions.
But at this stage the Bulldogs are only prepared to offer a one-year contract extension.
Liberatore, who turned 29 on Sunday, was made to wait until the end of 2018 to be offered a one-year deal after a second knee reconstruction saw him miss all but one quarter of that season.
But the inside midfielder made a bright start to 2019 and signed a two-year contract extension half-way through that season. It’s that deal which is due to expire at the end of the 2021 campaign.
It must be said it is only early in negotiations between Liberatore and the club. The Bulldogs want him to stay and Liberatore wants to stay, but there is water to go under the bridge.
Liberatore’s clearance work and vision in stoppage situations has been one of the key pillars of the Bulldogs scintillating start to the season.
It has been his grunt at the coalface that has unlocked a lot of class being shown by a deep on-ball unit.
Bontempelli is set to turn his back on free agency and re-commit to the Dogs with a lucrative new deal expected to be announced soon.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
How long a contract would you give him?
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Happy to give him 2 years. He has likely played for unders most of his career, deserves a 2 year contract. If he subsequently breaks down at some stage so be it, he will have earned every cent.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Yeah I think you just roll the dice on two years and get on with it. There's nobody who can step into his role.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
One year is a little insulting isn't it? The guys been almost our best this season apart from Sir Marcus.
Two should've been the jumping off point.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Grantysghost
One year is a little insulting isn't it? The guys been almost our best this season apart from Sir Marcus.
Two should've been the jumping off point.
They're probably privy to things we aren't around how his body is and what it takes for him to get up week in week out.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jeemak
They're probably privy to things we aren't around how his body is and what it takes for him to get up week in week out.
That's a good point, and they'll probably land at 2 I just don't want to unnecessarily put any ripples in the currently calm Liberatore waters. He's vital to our success.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
If Wood can get 2 years Libba deserves at least that at a minimum. I'd give him 3
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
ratsmac
If Wood can get 2 years Libba deserves at least that at a minimum. I'd give him 3
Agree. I’d give him 3. He’s probably our most important mid (yes I know Bont Bont Bont), but Libba is the coal mine.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
I’d give him 2. If we’re giving Wood, whose body is just as fragile and is older, 2 years then surely Libba is worth at least that.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
I offer two with a trigger for a third if he wants it.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
DOG GOD
Agree. I’d give him 3. He’s probably our most important mid (yes I know Bont Bont Bont), but Libba is the coal mine.
If you can find 2 years for Wood, with dodgy hammies, then 3 for Libba is a no brainer. Yeah the final year may be a bust, but 1 year is insulting.....
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
I'm also happy to hear the last bit "Bontempelli is set to turn his back on free agency and re-commit to the Dogs with a lucrative new deal expected to be announced soon."
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Just so entertaining to watch. One of the most enjoyable seasons so far and wish I could get to games. Very homesick.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
Hotdog60
I offer two with a trigger for a third if he wants it.
I think that is about right.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Can’t say I’m anywhere near ready or prepared to stop the absolute pleasure of watching Libba go around for us. As an unabashed Libba tragic, two years would be the minimum I would be prepared to accept, with 3 on the table subject to how much I can still get to watch his mastery with the ball.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
So we all love Libba. He is the heart and soul of our club. Great form, but the question is his long can his body hold up. It’s not like he is an outside jet. He gets bashed every week.
I have would like to see a new contract fir two years. But the kicker would be a one & one year at the new of it. So the two could by three then the three could be four.
It needs to have KPI’s worked into it (on and off the field) if his legs hold up we all win. If West can out him that’s also a win.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
Doc26
Can’t say I’m anywhere near ready or prepared to stop the absolute pleasure of watching Libba go around for us. As an unabashed Libba tragic, two years would be the minimum I would be prepared to accept, with 3 on the table subject to how much I can still get to watch his mastery with the ball.
Yeah, I feel the same. The longer a Liberatore wears the red, white and blue the better.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
ratsmac
If Wood can get 2 years Libba deserves at least that at a minimum. I'd give him 3
This.
if we gave Wood 2 Libba should get 3, most important midfielder by far.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
Bumper Bulldogs
So we all love Libba. He is the heart and soul of our club. Great form, but the question is his long can his body hold up. It’s not like he is an outside jet. He gets bashed every week.
I have would like to see a new contract fir two years. But the kicker would be a one & one year at the new of it. So the two could by three then the three could be four.
It needs to have KPI’s worked into it (on and off the field) if his legs hold up we all win. If West can out him that’s also a win.
I think off field KPIs are unnecessary and would be an insult. Liberatore has a young family, hasn’t been a whiff of off field issues for how many years?
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Sorry. I should actually clarify this. I was referring to Libba developing of others off field like a mentor. I recon he could accelerate the growth of all the young pups. I would work that somehow into his contract as even not playing he still could add value with his knowledge and determination
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Let's not forget, plenty thought his old man was cooked as a 30 year old and he kept chugging along for a further 6 years.
Imagine if Tom was still getting around as a 35 year old with his Homer Simpson tatt, god bless him.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
Hotdog60
I offer two with a trigger for a third if he wants it.
This for me too
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
I would be happy to give Libba 3 or 2 with a trigger.
Fitness wise he seems in a good spot.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
2 years, best form of his career but history of injuries and off field issues
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
boydogs
2 years, best form of his career but history of injuries and off field issues
Off field issues - meh, when he was a young buck, he just turned 29 and I believe he is more mature. With two kids he has settled down.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
3 years. He’s a beast and I’d expect us to be in contention for the next 3 years.
His game isn’t built on break away speed. Apart from the knees and his 2016 ankle (which is really just unlucky) he’s been pretty durable.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Just get it done already. Sign him up. Two years minimum with maybe an incentive for a third. When he is playing well we win. It’s simple.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
2 with an option for 3
Some risk attached, but he’s paid his dues in advance. Important player for the squad. Important player for the Club.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
DOG GOD
Agree. I’d give him 3. He’s probably our most important mid (yes I know Bont Bont Bont), but Libba is the coal mine.
It's harsh, but his knees are a ticking time bomb. I wouldn't give him 3.
Certainly 1 + 1 (trigger) and 2 if he took slight unders.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
jeemak
They're probably privy to things we aren't around how his body is and what it takes for him to get up week in week out.
Still, since his last reco how many has he missed? It's about the historical contribution as far as I'm concerned rather than perceived future risk. Surely no one at the club can predict if / when a knee will go.
Give the man two with a trigger-clause for a third.
One is a massive slap in the face based on what he's achieved, is currently achieving.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
1eyedog
Still, since his last reco how many has he missed? It's about the historical contribution as far as I'm concerned rather than perceived future risk. Surely no one at the club can predict if / when a knee will go.
Give the man two with a trigger-clause for a third.
One is a massive slap in the face based on what he's achieved, is currently achieving.
Keep this form up and he should be AA
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
bornadog
Keep this form up and he should be AA
He's drawing more and more attention from the meeja re. how important he has been to us this year because of his clearance ability. Some suggested on the telecast on Saturday night that he should be in AA contention and that winning clearances is where the game is won. Hope he gets the recognition he deserves.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Libbab said on tele that he loves playing under Bevo. He aint going anywhere else. Give the man 2 years with a trigger for a 3rd.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
Wonder if Libba's agent fed this info to Slamming Sammy Edmund. Not sure how he would know otherwise.
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Re: Liberatore and the western bulldogs remain apart on new deal
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Originally Posted by
Bulldog4life
Libbab said on tele that he loves playing under Bevo. He aint going anywhere else. Give the man 2 years with a trigger for a 3rd.
That's is the smart move. He will work his arse off to get the 3rd