Western Bulldogs' Liberatores share a magic moment

[bornadog]

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After a turbulent relationship with his father – club legend Tony – in recent times, the two embraced in the middle of the Bulldogs rooms, tears streaming down Tony's face.

This was far more than two Bulldogs players, one current and one former, sharing a football achievement.

This was a private moment between father and son.

"It was more of an occasion that was momentous, regardless of if it was footy or if I worked somewhere else. It was more a moment of passion. It was good to see that we were both just so proud and happy to share a moment that we have strived so long for," Tom said.

"My relationship with my dad has been up and down, growing up and stuff.
"Just from more a parental point of view, because of what happened [in 2012].

"It's good that he's finally accepted me in the family after 24 years," Tom said, jokingly.
It's those 10 seconds that summarise Tom Liberatore as a person and as a footballer.

He's reflective, and yet extremely funny. He's quick-witted, but also a deep thinker.
The incident he mentioned in 2012 – a drugs scandal that led to him being suspended for the rest of the season – has in his opinion, sculpted him into a stronger person.

"It was a good reality check for how ungrateful I was in terms of how serious I took my footy.

"I've always kind of ducked my head a bit from pushing myself as hard as I can. [I've learnt] it's not a bad thing to push myself to my limit."

The man who would be close to last on the list of AFL players to ever "duck his head", admitted to doing just that when it came to training and hard work, before the 2012 incident.

He was scared to strive for his best.

Talking to his teammates, he's incredibly well liked. And respected. He's the perfect mix of on-field leadership and off-field playful mischief.

"He's probably one of the most different people I've ever met," said close friend and teammate Luke Dahlhaus, with a beaming smile on his face.

"He's just quirky. He's got a new haircut all the time, he's got a different tattoo somewhere, you don't get to see them on TV but there is a couple in some places. He's just a different bloke."

Libba is the leader of practical jokes at the kennel. If you're wearing a loud article of clothing, or just had a new haircut, he'll be all over you.

"As soon as you walk in, he'll be at you all day," Dahlhaus said. "Just little things … he'll be into you all day and it will get to four o'clock and you're about to leave … and you just crack it [at him]."

Liberatore will get a cup of milk, and rest it on top of someone's locker, precariously between the gap of the locker and the shelf. When that player opens his locker, the cup falls and spills milk all throughout the inside, leaving the locker reeking for weeks.

According to teammates, Liberatore likes to target Clay Smith; the pair becoming close when sharing a year of rehabilitation from knee reconstructions together.

They have been waging a playful war of practical jokes ever since.

"Tom is his own character," Smith said. "He is the worst-dressed bloke at the club by far – he'll tell you he's not and tell you that I'm the worst dressed."

But despite the practical jokes, the haircuts and the banter, one thing that every teammate spoke of was Liberatore's leadership.

Caleb Daniel, who has burst onto the scene this season, spoke about how much Liberatore helped him as a personal mentor in his first year at the Bulldogs.

"He's like a big brother, I guess," Daniel said. "He's a real leader by doing rather than saying. He's consistently clocking an extra kilometre than everyone else on his GPS."

Speaking to teammates, it's hard not to be overwhelmed by how much Liberatore is looked up to and respected at the club, particularly when people like Jack Macrae say they "walk taller" when standing next to him at a centre bounce or stoppage.

"He's not a [vocal] leader like 'Bont' [Marcus Bontempelli] would be," Dahlhaus said, when describing Liberatore's style.

"But you always see him at the bottom of a tussle, or standing up for someone. Say Bont is getting tagged, Libba is the first one to put them on their arse and fight for those Bulldogs colours."

"He's outstanding like that … and just such a good player.

"Jeez, we're lucky to have him."

It's fitting that the last thing said about Liberatore involved the word "luck", for luck has nothing to do with it.

It's tough moments through his life and hard work on the field that has made him the player and the man he is today.

People often speak about players that clubs could least afford to lose, for the impact they have on the team from week to week.

For Greater Western Sydney, it's Shane Mumford; for Geelong, it's Patrick Dangerfield; and for Richmond, it's Alex Rance.

The Western Bulldogs have emerging superstars such as Bontempelli and Dalhaus and supreme veterans such as Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy.

But for the impact they have on the club, the team and its supporters, Tom Liberatore is as close to irreplaceable as you can get.

[AndrewP6]

Great read. Love hearing that behind the scenes stuff.

[The Doctor]

Libba was there at all the big moments in the prelim. He'll be there again on Saturday. Love the bloke since his Calder days.

One More.

[Twodogs]

One. More.

[Cyberdoggie]

Sounds like a pest to be honest.

[LostDoggy]

Hahahahaha what a legend.

[ratsmac]

Funny stuff. Seems like a great bloke.

[azabob]

Loved how early on he was getting stuck into Heath Shaw from the GetGo. He got inside Shaws head and then a few other players jumped on board.

As a result we got to see first hand the Heath Shaw meltdown show.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

A great thrill to be sitting alongside Oliver , Tom's younger brother and their Grandmother.When the final siren went and the players did the normal meet our supporters around the boundary, Tom did something very special. He came across to embrace his brother, lifting him from the second front row onto his shoulders, onto the ground. The joy of his Grandmother was overwhelming which simply highlighted the closeness of the Liberatore family.

[azabob]

A great thrill to be sitting alongside Oliver , Tom's younger brother and their Grandmother.When the final siren went and the players did the normal meet our supporters around the boundary, Tom did something very special. He came across to embrace his brother, lifting him from the second front row onto his shoulders, onto the ground. The joy of his Grandmother was overwhelming which simply highlighted the closeness of the Liberatore family.

I was also in your row, on the otherside, one seat from two other Liberatore's who were on the otherside of Nonna.

It was queit funny when Libba gave away the 50 in our forward pocket and i didnt see what happened I asked and they sheepishly said Tom gave it away!

Great to see the bond between Tom and Oliver.

[angelopetraglia]

So happy for the entire family after the after the last few years. The strike, the rumours, the family strain. So good to see the joy and family together.

[ledge]

I find Tom very shy .. See him at the VFL and said a quick hello he acknowledged but looked a bit uncomfortable , he stood there like he was lonely and wanted someone to talk to.
But I watch him at games and he is completely different , gobs off a lot and puts the elbows in faces etc when in packs .. Much like his dad.. After seeing his cricket clip on the boundary he certainly is out there, but something very endearing about him.
Kind of glad to hear he had a falling out with his dad about the drug incident to me it means dad cares and must have given him something to think about .
His wake up call obviously.
Love Tony and Tom I think they are loyal to the Bulldogs, Oliver isn't far off becoming a bulldog either

[always right]

Watch his second half in the GF. His work at the bottom of the packs was the main reason Kennedy didn't have a second half like his first.

[strebla]

Just love this bloke and I must say that is far and away the best ashes hundred I have ever seen !!!

[Topdog]

Watch his second half in the GF. His work at the bottom of the packs was the main reason Kennedy didn't have a second half like his first.

OK I'll watch it later tonight. Gee the things I do for you guys