AFL: Tom Liberatore goes into concussion protocols, will miss clash with St Kilda

The Bulldogs have placed Tom Liberatore in concussion protocols despite the star midfielder passing a head injury assessment and showing no symptoms following his fall on Friday night.

Tom Liberatore gets smashed by Jake Stringer

Western Bulldogs superstar Tom Liberatore must miss Thursday night’s crunch game against St Kilda after entering the concussion protocols despite showing no symptoms.

Liberatore fell to the ground away from the ball in the final minutes of Friday night’s loss to Essendon in what appeared to be an alarming moment.

Bombers opponent Darcy Parish was the only player in Liberatore’s vicinity and immediately helped him to his feet and signalled to medicos on the interchange bench.

Liberatore underwent a HIA (Head Injury Assessment) post-match. He passed that and presented no symptoms of concussion either on Friday night or on Saturday morning.

The clearance king said post-match he lost balance having tweaked his ankle earlier in the final quarter

Mental and physical exhaustion are also understood to be factors that contributed to Liberatore’s sudden fall.

Tom Liberatore collapses to the Marvel Stadium turf.

It’s understood Liberatore felt no ill effects on Saturday and was in good spirits.

But the Dogs have decided to take an ultra-cautious approach and a return against Fremantle in round 7 would give him 15 days to recover from the episode.

The AFL’s chief medical officer, Michael Makdissi, was in contact with the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Both parties were aware that if Liberatore was to play against the Saints it would have invited external criticism given the climate around concussion.

But it’s understood the decision to place Liberatore in the protocols was chiefly made by the Dogs – and not by the AFL.

“Tom remains without concussion symptoms this morning. However, given the concerning nature of in-game footage during the final minutes that show Tom falling to the ground, the club’s medical team has subsequently reached a decision to place him in concussion protocols,” the Dogs said in a statement.

“This decision has been taken with an abundance of caution, with Tom’s health and wellbeing the absolute priority.”

Coach Luke Beveridge had said on Friday night: “He’s fine. For some reason he lost his footing and stumbled, but he’s fine. There’s no concussion or anything like that”.

And walking off the ground after the loss to Essendon. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Liberatore, the club’s vice-captain, missed skipper Marcus Bontempelli’s 200th match with concussion last year.

Liberatore copped an accidental knee from Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw the previous week.

He was also concussed in 2017 in a brutal tackle from former Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford.

That was before the AFL brought in the 12-day concussion protocols and Liberatore was fine to play the following week.

Liberatore’s absence will be sorely felt against the Saints.

Both clubs are 2-3 and sit outside the top eight. But it could open the door for young gun Riley Garcia to take his place in the midfield.

Garcia, 23, has been in sparkling form in the VFL recently.

He is averaging 154 SuperCoach points after collecting 41, 31 and 35 disposals in the first three matches.

Originally published as AFL: Tom Liberatore goes into concussion protocols, will miss clash with St Kilda