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At 178cm he's a giant.
TONY Liberatore would seem more at home in Lygon St than Cavill Ave, but he has always been fond of the Gold Coast. Only 24 hours after the birth of his son Thomas, Liberatore played one of the games of his career -- tallying 36 disposals against the Brisbane Bears in the wet at Carrara.
More than 16 years later, Liberatore returned to the Gold Coast yesterday.
Just down the road from Carrara at Southport, he was watching Thomas go around in the national under-16 championships.
Liberatore Jr, a dogged inside midfielder like his dad, won 18 disposals in a one-point loss to South Australia.
"It is just terrific for him to get to this level. To get this far you've got to be pretty good," AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.
"He's earned his spot and definitely has some of the attributes of his father."
At 178cm, he is taller than the old man, and is at least a chance to be considered a Bulldogs father-son recruit.
Liberatore, 165cm, won the 1990 Brownlow Medal and played 283 games for the Dogs.
The appearance of his 16-year-old isn't the only family story at the championships.
Kane Murphy, son of former Sydney winger David, was New South Wales' best player on Wednesday.
It is good news for St Kilda fans as the Saints nabbed Murphy as a scholarship player earlier this year, killing off the Swans' hopes of taking the winger under the father-son rule.
Will Langford, son of former Hawthorn full-back and AFL commissioner Chris, was the second best player for NSW.
TONY Liberatore would seem more at home in Lygon St than Cavill Ave, but he has always been fond of the Gold Coast. Only 24 hours after the birth of his son Thomas, Liberatore played one of the games of his career -- tallying 36 disposals against the Brisbane Bears in the wet at Carrara.
More than 16 years later, Liberatore returned to the Gold Coast yesterday.
Just down the road from Carrara at Southport, he was watching Thomas go around in the national under-16 championships.
Liberatore Jr, a dogged inside midfielder like his dad, won 18 disposals in a one-point loss to South Australia.
"It is just terrific for him to get to this level. To get this far you've got to be pretty good," AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.
"He's earned his spot and definitely has some of the attributes of his father."
At 178cm, he is taller than the old man, and is at least a chance to be considered a Bulldogs father-son recruit.
Liberatore, 165cm, won the 1990 Brownlow Medal and played 283 games for the Dogs.
The appearance of his 16-year-old isn't the only family story at the championships.
Kane Murphy, son of former Sydney winger David, was New South Wales' best player on Wednesday.
It is good news for St Kilda fans as the Saints nabbed Murphy as a scholarship player earlier this year, killing off the Swans' hopes of taking the winger under the father-son rule.
Will Langford, son of former Hawthorn full-back and AFL commissioner Chris, was the second best player for NSW.
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