SuperCoach tips: The case for and against owning Tom Liberatore

After a year on the injury list following ACL surgery, no one can say for certain which version of Tom Liberatore will front up in 2019. Liam Twomey takes a look at the case for and against owning the star Bulldog.

Tom Liberatore is looking fit and focused in the preseason. Picture: Michael Klein

Heading into the 2019 SuperCoach season, there is one big mystery we are wanting answers to.

Which Tom Liberatore are we going to see, because there have been a couple of versions in recent seasons.

The SuperCoach community loves the Libba who played a major role in lifting the Western Bulldogs to the drought breaking 2016 premiership with his ability to slice up opposition midfields, break tags and even hit the scoreboard.

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Tom Liberatore is looking fit and focused in the preseason. Picture: Michael Klein

While the version who lined up for Macau in the AFL Asia Cup and then sat on the sidelines while an unknown teammate shaved half his head is equally as entertaining, the SuperCoach numbers don’t quite translate.

After a year on the injury list following ACL surgery, no one can say for certain which version of Liberatore will front up in 2019.

But one thing is for sure, with a price tag of just $300,400, he is keeping many SuperCoaches up at night.

Has Libba done the work to regain his peak form? Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

THE CASE FOR LIBBA

Motivation

It has been a pretty big fall from grace for Liberatore since the 2016 flag. Out of contract at the end of last season, he was only offered a one-year deal by the Bulldogs, with the club not prepared to commit to the midfielder for any longer than the minimum term.

So if Libba wants to stay in the AFL system and lock down a longer deal, he has every reason to bring his absolute best in 2019.

Early indications out of the Dogs are Liberatore is well and truly motivated to return to his best.

He arrived at the first day of pre-season in great condition and has carried that momentum throughout the past few months.

We know what you’re thinking though. What player isn’t playing like a superstar in February?

But this Liberatore buzz is real, with some Bulldogs track watchers declaring he could even be considered a Brownlow smokie.

Those who took a punt on Demon Angus Brayshaw reaped the rewards last season. Could Libba do the same in 2019? Picture: Getty Images

The price

While plenty of SuperCoaches take the ‘premiums or rookies’ only approach to picking their teams, there is always a place for a mid-price option who is going to post big numbers. A good point of comparison from last year could be Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw.

After two injury interrupted years, Brayshaw started 2018 at $316,000 — which was smack bang in the middle of that awkward price zone.

However, those who jumped on Brayshaw still enjoyed a nice price bump, with the midfielder’s value lifting more than $200,000 throughout the year.

Liberatore is an even better prospect than Brayshaw, with the Melbourne midfielder having to fight for his spot in the AFL at the start of last season.

After all the pre-season buzz, Libba won’t have to worry about that.

Libba started season 2013 on fire. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

His history

If you’ve forgotten what Liberatore is capable of, take a trip down memory lane and check out his scores from 2013 and 2014, when he averaged more than 100 for two straight years.

It wasn’t like he was only just cracking three figures either. There were some massive scores in that mix.

In 2013 Libba broke 130 three times in the first month of the season.

In 2014 he had a four-week stretch where he averaged 129.

These are the sort of heights an engaged Liberatore can reach.

For a month in 2014, Libba averaged a whopping 129. Picture: Colleen Petch

THE CASE AGAINST LIBBA

We’ve seen this before

It’s always hard to know how a player will respond after an ACL injury.

But for Liberatore, we at least have a possible point of reference.

Liberatore missed the entire 2015 season after rupturing his ACL in a practice game.

After a year on the sidelines, he returned in 2016 and his scoring rate dropped considerably, down from an average of 110.4 to 90.8.

Prior to his second ACL injury, Liberatore was averaging 79.1.

If his scoring rate drops by even half of what it did the first time, that becomes a problem.

A little extra coin and you could have Dan Hannebery. Is the new Saint a better option? Picture: Ian Currie

Other options

Let’s say you allow yourself one mid-price starter in your midfield. Are there other options out there who are a little less risky?

St Kilda’s Dan Hannebery is only an extra $26,000. While he has had a slightly interrupted pre-season, he is expected to be right for Round 1.

Hannebery has everything to prove after being traded for a fourth-round pick by the Swans.

Former Tiger turned Sun Anthony Miles is an extra $42,000. He is coming off years of being starved for opportunity at Richmond and will get as many minutes as he likes in the Gold Coast midfield.

Originally published as SuperCoach tips: The case for and against owning Tom Liberatore