Libba - 'Non Injury Related’

[bornadog]

Liberatore aiming for Round 1 return

After being forced to watch from the sidelines last season, Tom Liberatore is ready to attack 2019.
The premiership midfielder, who ruptured his ACL in the opening minutes of the Dogs’ 2018 campaign, is making the most of being back in full training and match practice.

All going well over the next two months, he’s targeting a Round 1 return.

“My knee’s going well,” Liberatore told westernbuldogs.com.au from the club’s pre-season camp in Mooloolaba.
“I’ve been back into full training since the end of December, early January.

“I think so - I’ll be ready to go (for Round 1). I’m good to go now, so I’ll just make sure I have good prep from now until then and I’ll be good to go.

“I’m excited to get around a bunch of new players, because we’ve had a few changes, and just excited to get out there and play again.”

Going through the same injury and rehabilitation process previously – in 2015, to his opposite knee – has helped the 26-year-old this time.

“I think it helps that I’ve done it before,” Liberatore said.
“Having this prep this time around, having played a few games against ourselves and getting that duration of match practice under my belt (helps).

“There’s similar challenges.

“The repetitiveness of rehab can sometimes get a bit monotonous, but it’s been a bit smoother this time having the previous experience.”

This is the fifth consecutive year the Dogs have held a training camp in Mooloolaba, which wraps up this week.

[GVGjr]

Good to see some enthusiasm from Libba. Seems to think he is ready to go now which is huge for us

[Twodogs]

It's like recruiting one of the best ball extractors in the competition. We are such a better team with Libba in it because he brings other players into the play. For instance Mitch Wallis is a much better player with Tom alongside him.

[Mantis]

It's like recruiting one of the best ball extractors in the competition. We are such a better team with Libba in it because he brings other players into the play. For instance Mitch Wallis is a much better player with Tom alongside him.

My recollection is that Mitch has played his best footy when Tom has been sidelined.

Super excited that Tom gets back to his best.. the footy world forgets how good he is.

[GVGjr]

My recollection is that Mitch has played his best footy when Tom has been sidelined.

I think there is a fair argument to say that is correct. The difference now might be because Wallis could play more as a forward.

I'm not sure both of them in the middle for long periods is what we want.

[westdog54]

I think there is a fair argument to say that is correct. The difference now might be because Wallis could play more as a forward.

I'm not sure both of them in the middle for long periods is what we want.

Agreed.

Having Mitch free to drift forward, where he can easily slip under the radar and do some damage, is a massively understated benefit of Libba's return.

[Eastdog]

Great to hear.

Hoping for a big season for Libba. I hope to discuss many great games on WOOF this year with Libba right up there as one of our most solid contributors.

Finally got around at the family day this year to get his autograph.

[bornadog]

[Hotdog60]

I wonder if he'll regret this in 40 years time....

[bornadog]

I wonder if he'll regret this in 40 years time....

Most people with tattoos will

[Twodogs]

I wonder if he'll regret this in 40 years time....

I got my first tattoo in 1989 and have no regrets. Nobody I know with them has ever said "geez I wish that I'd never got these" I guess that you either like them or you don't.

[Eastdog]

I got my first tattoo in 1989 and have no regrets. Nobody I know with them has ever said "geez I wish that I'd never got these" I guess that you either like them or you don't.

Not a tattoo person myself but each to themselves.

[bulldogtragic]

I got my first tattoo in 1989 and have no regrets. Nobody I know with them has ever said "geez I wish that I'd never got these" I guess that you either like them or you don't.

So you don't know Jake Stringer then?

[Rocket Science]

Onya Libba, stay weird.

Jeez I can't wait to see him back in amongst it. We've been deprived of his influence for too long.

[Axe Man]

Wow. I don't imagine squeaky-voiced teen is one of the more popular Simpsons tattoos.