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The surprising statistic that highlights how important Tom Liberatore is
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The Western Bulldogs midfield was already stacked before the addition of Adam Treloar, but it has gone to a new level in 2021.
Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Treloar, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter and Bailey Smith receive a lot of plaudits for their work, and rightly so.
The somewhat unheralded member of the squad is Tom Liberatore, who is quietly averaging 26 disposals, nine clearances and eight score involvements so far this season.
David King has revealed that after three weeks of the season, Liberatore is actually ranked second in the competition for generating scores.
“I had a look at some random numbers. Guys that generate scores. There’s always a player that starts the chain,” King told SEN Breakfast.
“Usually it’s ruckmen because scores from stoppages are 30 per cent of scoring.
“So Nic Naitanui is clearly number one and most of that is at centre bounces logically.
“The player ranked second is Tom Liberatore. Now that surprised me, but that just shows the importance of this guy in this group.
“They don’t need Treloar to come in and win contested possessions because you don’t want to be butting heads with your teammates.
“I think the complimentary role they’ve got with this midfield is allowing Marcus Bontempelli to get forward of the ball, it’s allowing Jack Macrae to get forward of the ball and Treloar with his breakaway speed, it’s going to be hard to clamp.”
King was also full of praise for Treloar and how he has changed the shape of this Bulldogs midfield on the outside.
“They added Adam Treloar in and Treloar isn’t winning contested possessions, he’s not. He’s the first receiver at breakneck speed and his kicking is a lot better given he’s been told he’s a good player … he’s living a different version of himself right now,” the former Kangaroo said.
“What he’s done to this midfield is just unbelievable.
“They’re stacked in the midfield, we all know that, but the contested possession numbers are just crazy numbers. Back to 2016.
“Don’t undersell how tough they are (either).”
The Dogs obliterated North Melbourne by 128 points in Round 3 and now face a much tougher task up against Brisbane at Mars Stadium.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
I don't care that he can't kick a goal from 50 out, run quickly, or is considered ''slow'' - His one of our most valuable players and this stat/article shows why.
I fear for the day we don't have him in our midfield.
"Its always good to win the Ashes test match'' - Libba, AFL Grand Final, 2016
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
I'm not surprised at all.
They've done studies you know, 60% of the time, it works every time!
Brian Fantana.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
He's a combative heart and soul player that lifts the team beyond his own stats
If you kicked five goals and Tom Boyd kicked five goals, Tom Boyd kicked more goals than you.
Formerly gogriff
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Vred liked this post
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Inflated numbers after we spanked the Roos.
Let’s see how we shape up by mid season.
I agree though - Libba is unheralded in our midfield and has been very solid in his start to the year.
Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Love it. Life is easier when the Dogs are winning.
When shit hits the fan I'm like F&%& it Dogs are on top of the ladder.
But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
I'm surprised that a player that is a clearance king gets no interest during trade fortnight, he's be most teams best extractor.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Originally Posted by
Testekill
I'm surprised that a player that is a clearance king gets no interest during trade fortnight, he's be most teams best extractor.
I'm betting that he's laughed at more than one club's approach. They must have enquired and Libba would have said "I'm going nowhere but thanks for asking"
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Best phone-box player in the competition. I'm convinced.
Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Originally Posted by
Mofra
Best phone-box player in the competition. I'm convinced.
No one’s even near him. The accuracy of his handballing in close is astonishing.
- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
I’ve heard he once got a brain scan done and they found a Sherrin in there instead.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 3 Likes
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Originally Posted by
Go_Dogs
Inflated numbers after we spanked the Roos.
Let’s see how we shape up by mid season.
I agree though - Libba is unheralded in our midfield and has been very solid in his start to the year.
Not really, Libba has always been Elite with Score involvements & Launches.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Originally Posted by
Testekill
I'm surprised that a player that is a clearance king gets no interest during trade fortnight, he's be most teams best extractor.
I doubt they'd bother seriously asking given his pedigree.
"It's over. It's all over."
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
I thought the Bummers were sniffing around him a few years back..........
TF is this?.........Obviously you're not a golfer.
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Re: The surprising statistic that highlights how important tom liberatore is
Originally Posted by
jeemak
I thought the Bummers were sniffing around him a few years back..........
Around the time we traded Dahl I think. Only options were a performance heavy contact with us or maybe something with them IIRC. Very glad he stayed.
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