Tom Liberatore

Tom Liberatore (born 16 May 1992) is an Australian rules footballer who currently plays with the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League. He is the son of former Bulldogs legend Tony Liberatore.^[1]

From Melbourne, Victoria, Liberatore was drafted to the Bulldogs from the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup with the 40th selection in the 2010 AFL Draft as a father-son selection, after Sydney nominated their intention to draft him with first-round pick (pick 21) if available.^[1] Fellow schoolmate and friend Mitch Wallis was also drafted at pick 22, after the two had played together for club and school St Kevin's College, since a young age.

He was selected in the All-Australian team after the 2010 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he had averaged 22 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency, five clearances and four tackles.^[2]

In the 2010 TAC Cup Grand Final, he had 28 disposals in the Cannons 58 point defeat of Gippsland Power.^[3] He made his debut in the Western Bulldogs' Round One defeat to Essendon, being named in the best for the side. After a drug/alcohol related indiscretion in the latter stages of the 2012 AFL season, Liberatore came back strongly in 2013, coming second in the Charles Sutton Medal and winning the most clearances in the AFL during the home and away rounds.

Liberatore was selected in the AFL Players' Association's inaugural 22under22 team in 2013.

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2014 season ^[4]

*10 games required to be eligible.

Honours and achievements

• Individual
  • Chris Grant Medal - Western Bulldogs Best First Year Player: 2011
  • Western Bulldogs Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player Award: 2012

References

External links

• Tom Liberatore's profile on the official website of the Western Bulldogs
• Tom Liberatore's statistics from AFL Tables