Liberatore ruled out of crunch match due to ‘concerning nature’ of mid-game collapse

The Western Bulldogs have made a call on a star midfielder following an investigation into his scary fall during Friday night’s game.

Concerning scenes as Liberatore collapsed to the ground.

The Western Bulldogs have placed Tom Liberatore in concussion protocols following an investigation into the circumstances that led to his scary fall during Friday night’s loss to Essendon.

The Bulldogs released a statement on Saturday afternoon explaining Liberatore would miss next weekend’s game against St Kilda and continue to be monitored despite not showing concussion symptoms.

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“Immediately following last night’s fixture against Essendon, Tom Liberatore reported to the Bulldogs’ medical team with no concussion symptoms and passed a head injury assessment, conducted as per AFL protocols,” the club statement said.

“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.

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

Parish aided to Liberatore after he collapsed.

Liberatore, in the fourth quarter of the Marvel Stadium clash, collapsed in the centre of the ground in a scary moment as he was aided to by a concerned Darcy Parish.

The star Dogs on-baller, who copped hits from Jake Stringer and Nick Hind earlier in the game, appeared dazed after eventually getting back to his feet before playing out the game.

The Dogs post-match downplayed concerns around Liberatore, who himself told ABC he simply “lost balance” after tweaking his ankle.

Liberatore was cleared to speak to media after the game, which he otherwise wouldn’t have been had there been any lingering concerns around a concussion.

Meanwhile Dogs coach Luke Beveridge was adamant Liberatore wasn’t concussed.

“He’s fine. For some reason he lost his footing and stumbled, but he’s fine. He’s being looked after and there’s no concussion or anything like that,” the Dogs coach told reporters.

Footy fans however weren’t buying what the Bulldogs were selling as they called out the excuses surrounding the incident.

ESPN’s Matt Walsh wrote: “Footy has a long way to go. No person who has been alive for more than five years would tell you that’s an ankle issue.”

NRL Physio wrote: “Ankle tweak?” along with an emoji of one eye peeping through hands.

Another user wrote: “Even Stevie Wonder can see that’s not an ankle tweak.”

Libba walked off after finishing out the game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fox Footy pundits were left concerned watching the incident.

“To stagger after a contest like this, that does not look good. (Bulldogs doctor) Gary Zimmerman would be having a close look at that. That is troubling,” former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon told Fox Footy Live.

Geelong great Cameron Mooney added: “It’s hard to say what it was, but that just looked like a guy who was dizzy after a big hit and lost his balance and needed to lay down for half a second. He seems to be OK now.”

Meanwhile St Kilda champion Dal Santo heaped praise on Parish for the way he handled the situation.

“Well done by Darcy Parish here,” Dal Santo said.

“That is a really good by an opposition player to have care for somebody else ... that’s fantastic on a different level.”

Foxfooty.com.au has contacted the AFL, who’s expected to reach out to the Dogs on the matter.

Originally published as Liberatore ruled out of crunch match due to ‘concerning nature’ of mid-game collapse