Tom Liberatore

[Grantysghost]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Got nothing to gain by playing on for mine.

Done it all, i think he needs to prioritise his health with a young family.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Incredibly sad and he just got the VC role, was still playing some unbelivable football. Just devastating for him, the club and the supporters who love him so much.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Looks a little like Picken in terms of racking up concussions later on in his career. We can’t repeat that under any circumstances. At a minimum a long holiday and medical advice.

[hujsh]

Re: Tom Liberatore

VC role actually cursed

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Tom Liberatore

VC role actually cursed

Between that, 19 and leading goal kicker it’s just evil.

[Rocket Science]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Sigh.

As if this crew aren't tough enough to love as it is, don't come at me with no Libba.

The joint'll need a heart transplant.

[jazzadogs]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Will we tap a photocopy of his tattoos as we run out on to the ground?

(using humour to cope, love you libba)

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Gutted about this.

Such an inspiration and for a VERY long time. Heart and soul of the club.

It pains me to say it but I don't want to see him like this again. He's gotta hang the boots up. Owes us nothing. We'll be worse for it, but his welfare is the priority.

[josie]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Agree with all woofers. Risk isn?t worth it. Young family, rest of his life etc. Said elsewhere a specialist mentor/coach role to further develop Sanders, Garcia would be good do we still keep him at the club.

[GVGjr]

Re: Tom Liberatore

From Code Sports

Tom Liberatore has been urged to consider his football future, after being sidelined indefinitely by the Western Bulldogs following a fourth concussion in 22 AFL games.

Liberatore absorbed a heavy blow from Hawthorn's Karl Amon and then stumbled badly after his forehead was cut open by opponent Conor Nash's boot on Sunday.

The Dogs on Monday said their medical team had ruled a concussive episode had occurred.

Last year, Liberatore was twice left badly shaken and ruled out with concussion the first in a round 6 collision with Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw, the second in round 22 against Hawthorn.

The indefinite absence will give him time to assess his chances of a safe return to football, given his recent concussions and the combative, physical role he plays.

He is not believed to be considering retirement at this stage, but instead will take time to work on his recovery.

After a second concussion in as many games across 21 days, Latrobe University concussion researcher Alan Pearce has urged Liberatore to think carefully about his future.



"I would be highly concerned about four concussions in 12 months," Professor Pearce said.

"We have seen from the research that anyone who has a lifetime concussion history of three is at risk of cognitive impairments later in life.

"Two in 21 days is really concerning. We need to do better at recovery protocols.


Why can't we have 21 days for AFL players like we do for community players, irrespective of medical expertise"

Doctors have to become more conservative, irrespective of class actions.

"This is brain health, not a hamstring or ACL. If players take an extra couple of weeks off, it can extend their careers by years. If the AFL is truly sincere about athlete health, they have to show it."

On a day of setbacks for Liberatore, he also copped a one-game ban from the AFL for a slinging tackle on Hawthorn's Will Day.

He spun and dumped Day into the ground in an incident where his Hawthorn opponent hit his head on the Marvel Stadium turf.

But that suspension is now immaterial given a likely extended absence.

The medicos at Whitten Oval have shown extreme caution with players in the past year, with ruckman Tim English sidelined for some time as the club assessed headache-type symptoms that were eventually shown not to be concussion.

Draftee Aiden O'Driscoll is also yet to return to the game after being involved in a sickening collision with Aaron Naughton that saw a summer intraclub game called off.

The Dogs are bracing for a lawsuit from premiership player Liam Picken as he seeks to separate himself from a 100-person class action, alleging a breach of duty of care from the club.

It means the club is in a heightened state of alert about the fallout of concussions.

Liberatore is a club favourite and premiership player who only recently signed a one-year contract extension.

But his past month has been challenging.

Liberatore collapsed late in the round 5 game against Essendon. He passed a head injury assessment, but was ruled to have been concussed in an abundance of caution despite no obvious incident.

He missed round 6 through the concussion protocols and then sat out round 7 with illness.

He returned against Hawthorn last weekend, only to be concussed again.

The Dogs said in a statement: Having suffered two concussions within a short space of time, Tom will be unavailable for an indefinite period.

[GVGjr]

Re: Tom Liberatore

I just wonder how we even attempt to manage this. 4 concussions in 12 months is a serious challenge for the player let alone a club with some pending concussions legal cases.

Liberatore might want to play on so the challenge for the club and medicos is how this can best be managed to protect Tom going forward.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Tom Liberatore

I said it earlier. It feels like Picken and nobody should want that. He’s a personal footy hero of mine and I couldn’t live with reading an article in future years like Picken or Kellett.

We will be screwed with no first rounder, then no Libba, Dunkley, Hunter, no Smith next year, Macrae & Daniel all but cooked. Life’s not going to be fun but there’s a lot more to focus on for Libba and those who love or idolise him.

[josie]

Re: Tom Liberatore

Well said BTragic.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Tom Liberatore

I?m sinking into a state of deep football depression.

The clubs short term prospects looks clouded and just the thought of not seeing Tom Liberatore run out again in the red, white and blue is enough to send me into a deep hole.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Tom Liberatore

I?m sinking into a state of deep football depression.

The clubs short term prospects looks clouded and just the thought of not seeing Tom Liberatore run out again in the red, white and blue is enough to send me into a deep hole.

I counter that with the thought of him having a healthy future and i feel better.