Tom Liberatore

[Rocco Jones]

I don't understand why we'd put out a public statement like that. It's given the gutter trash journos something to speculate on and what would have blown over quickly will be something that hangs around. Could we or would we have been better off just to say nothing? Genuine question.

I think it is great timing PR wise with Harley Bennell. We are seen as doing something about it, without getting heaps of attention due to the distraction caused by the Bennell photos.

[LostDoggy]

I don't understand why we'd put out a public statement like that. It's given the gutter trash journos something to speculate on and what would have blown over quickly will be something that hangs around. Could we or would we have been better off just to say nothing? Genuine question.

Well that all depends on what exactly it is that the club are stating they don't want to discuss, in "Tom's best interests". It's certainly not about missing a rehab session.

[bornadog]

Tom Liberatore in hot water again for "unacceptable behaviour"

The Western Bulldogs have confirmed they dealt with "unacceptable behaviour" shown by reigning best and fairest Tom Liberatore while on recovery from his long-term knee injury.


It's been reported that the club has sanctioned Liberatore for missing compulsory club appointments because of a period of excessive socialising three weeks ago.


While the Dogs have yet to go into detail about the issues, president Peter Gordon released a statement on Thursday explaining the club's position.


"While the club accepts that Tom has had some difficult issues to deal with in 2015, the recent behaviour failed to meet our standards and expectations of him," Gordon said.


"In consultation with Tom and his advisers, the club has had a detailed plan in place for Tom's education and rehabilitation in 2015, as well as his participation in supporting his teammates and the team," he said.


"That plan has now been modified to reflect his recent behaviour.

"The club has and will continue to provide Tom with all relevant support. We have also, and will continue to, make our expectations very clear to him.

"In our view, the provision of further detail about these circumstances would not be in Tom's best interests for recovery and rehabilitation. For that reason, the club has not commented and does not propose further comment."


It's been reported that the 23-year-old was scheduled to travel to Europe with non-Bulldog friends, however the club intervened and instead diverted him to a country where they felt his rehabilitation can be better accommodated.


That country is reportedly Thailand.


Liberatore, who was this year added to the leadership group, has been sanctioned by the club for off-field indiscretions in the past.


In 2012, he was suspended for four matches by the Dogs, and handed a "strike" by the AFL, after being found in possession of an illicit substance.


Liberatore, who injured his ACL in the NAB Challenge earlier this year, was the league's best clearance and tackling players last season and, in May, signed a contract extension committing to the club until 2018.

[G-Mo77]

I think it is great timing PR wise with Harley Bennell. We are seen as doing something about it, without getting heaps of attention due to the distraction caused by the Bennell photos.

We got front page on the AFL website this morning. The Bennell photos would have squashed this by Friday. I just feel with given the story longer legs now.

Well that all depends on what exactly it is that the club are stating they don't want to discuss, in "Tom's best interests". It's certainly not about missing a rehab session.

No it's not and by making a statement about not saying they don't want to discuss it brings more speculation and questions. I don't think this is in Tom's or our best interests.

[EasternWest]

It's called "excessive socialising" now is it?

What a disgrace.

[LostDoggy]

No it's not and by making a statement about not saying they don't want to discuss it brings more speculation and questions. I don't think this is in Tom's or our best interests.

I think I agree with you, in that we'd be better off either coming clean completely or shutting the doors, but perhaps there are other, maybe even legal, factors involved in determining what the club is able to disclose or not. Perhaps in a rush to "get on the front foot" we've gone too early?

Lots of perhaps there, but that's always the case when we're sitting here largely uninformed.

[LostDoggy]

We don't really know what's going on here, far be it for me to defend him but prior to this he was doing some excellent work supporting Footscray, and we all commented on his dedication and how he has turned it around.
Obviously he has some issues and something has changed. I must say when i saw him with the bad afro and moustache he looked like he hadn't been outside for a few weeks and that did worry me. A few weeks later this happens.

I must admit when I saw the hairdo and the porno moustache I didn't like the look of it.

Really? Is this a thing?

[Remi Moses]

This day and age the club's done the right thing .
The landscape's changed from the good Ol' days, and if you claim the games a business then act accordingly .

[bornadog]

Barrett has written a piece on the AFL website, so the club had to say something:

THE future of Western Bulldogs best and fairest Tom Liberatore is at flashpoint after another club sanction, stemming from a multi-day period of partying.Liberatore, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the NAB Challenge, was due to head to Europe with non-Bulldogs friends.

However, the club intervened after he missed compulsory club appointments, a result of excessive socialising three weeks ago.
On Wednesday night, Channel Nine revealed the Bulldogs instead diverted him to Thailand, a country it feels can better accommodate his rehabilitation for the knee injury.

The club released a statement on Thursday, saying Liberatore's actions were unacceptable, but they will continue to provide the young gun with support.

[1eyedog]

On the e's again was he? Ah well at least we have Wally and at least the club has come out and stated that there is a problem rather than the broad-scale Buddy cover ups during 09-10.

[SlimPickens]

I think it is great timing PR wise with Harley Bennell. We are seen as doing something about it, without getting heaps of attention due to the distraction caused by the Bennell photos.

Surprising that the afl have had the Libba story for a couple of weeks and it gets released now? I think you're on to something, but possible the wrong way around.

[Hotdog60]

I would hate to see a promising career go down the tubes because of a lack of self control.

It may come down to a choice of your mates or your career.

What happens when players are in rehab? Do they just do the physical stuff to get better and that's it.

Maybe full time work at the club to fill in the time.

[westdog54]

I think this had been week handled by the club.

They've said that Tom has a problem, they were made aware of it, they have taken action with Tom's best interest at the forefront, and the details are nobody else's business.

[Happy Days]

I must admit when I saw the hairdo and the porno moustache I didn't like the look of it.

Well, how did you go?

[Remi Moses]

I think this had been week handled by the club.

They've said that Tom has a problem, they were made aware of it, they have taken action with Tom's best interest at the forefront, and the details are nobody else's business.

Tend to agree . If Tom doesn't quickly understand how important his behaviour is , it's going to be a short career.