Tom Liberatore inks one-year deal with Western Bulldogs

AFTER missing almost all of last season and then exploring his free agency options, Tom Liberatore has finally put pen to paper and will continue with the Western Bulldogs in 2019.

TOM Liberatore has finally put pen to paper on a one-year contract at the Western Bulldogs.

The 26-year-old, who missed almost all of the 2018 season after rupturing his ACL in the opening minutes of Round 1, was allowed to assess his free agency options, but says he is as excited as he was an a junior footballer after signing on for 2019.

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Tom Liberatore has signed a one-year deal with the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I’m very determined, very optimistic,” he said.

“I feel like I’m playing juniors again. I’ve got that sort of itch I had when I was 16, 17.

“After having another year out on the sideline, I feel very determined, and excited to have fun again playing footy.”

Liberatore is almost at the end of his rehabilitation for his second knee reconstruction after missing all of 2015 before returning to play a role in the Bulldog’s drought-breaking premiership the following year.

He said he was initially frustrated at having to go through the whole process again, especially having sustained the injury so early in the season.

“It was pretty painful initially — all that work done throughout the pre-season and having such an optimistic build-up collectively,” he said.

“Having done a previous one (in 2015), the positive side of it took over after a couple of weeks.

“Once I got into that routine, it got a little bit more comfortable as it went on.”

Libba was part of the Dogs 2016 premiership side. Picture: Michael Klein

The father-son recruit, who has played 117 games since making his AFL debut in 2011, said he found a focus off the field throughout his recovery.

“I developed myself off the field in terms of uni and work opportunities,” Liberatore said.

“I still attended all the games and all the meetings. I was in and around the club the same amount of hours, the same amount of days’ work, but just different training.

“I was always involved with what was going on.”

He said his connection with his teammates and coaches, as well as the history his family has with the club through Brownlow Medal-winning father Tony, helped make his decision to sign the one-year deal.

“It’s a source of family,” he said.

“The community feel, the family relationships — it’s sort of like a big parent.

“I’ve had that reliability, it’s always been part of my life since I was a young kid.

“The support has been there the whole time — the rehab staff, the physios and my teammates have been there the whole time.”

Originally published as Tom Liberatore inks one-year deal with Western Bulldogs