Liam Picken set to play on in 2019 after recovering from multiple concussions

WESTERN Bulldogs premiership hero Liam Picken will be fit to complete a full pre-season next year after recovering strongly from a season wiped out by repeat concussions.

Liam Picken will play on for the Dogs in 2019 after recovering from concussions.

LIAM Picken will be fit to complete a full pre-season next year after recovering strongly from a season wiped out by repeat concussions.

The Western Bulldogs premiership hero has been back in football training for some time after overcoming a series of troubling side effects that includes light and noise sensitivity, migraines, mental wellness, vision issues and impaired balance.

Contracted for the 2019 season, Picken is back to full health and is determined to reclaim his spot in the Bulldogs senior side next year.

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Liam Picken’s 2016 Grand Final day performance and celebrations are etched in Western Bulldogs’ folklore. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

The Bulldogs will also have Tom Liberatore, set to resume contract discussions in coming weeks, ready for the first day of pre-season training after strong progress with his rehab from a pre-season ACL rupture.

The Dogs take on Richmond on Saturday afternoon in their final game of the season, having turned around a poor start to the season and put together a trio of successive wins.

Western Bulldogs head of football Chris Grant said yesterday the club’s medical staff had high hopes Picken, who suffered his latest hit in the pre-season against Hawthorn.

“Due to Liam’s post-concussion symptoms, we have been very cautious with Liam’s recovery, and we wanted to give him all the time he needed to return to full health,” Grant said.

The shocking scene during a March JLT Community Series clash when Picken was knocked out. Picture: Getty Images

Picken has been back on the training track this season, but the Dogs have been cautious with his recovery. Picture: Getty Images

“It was great to see him get to the stage where he was completing the majority of training with the main football program toward the end of the season.

“The indication from our club medical team and external specialists is positive in terms of him being able to get back on the field next season, and importantly, Liam is feeling very positive about his recovery.”

If the Dogs were in finals contention there is a chance he might have made a late-season push to return but the cautious route will give him another eight months recovery before he plays a real game.

Picken with his wife Annie Nolan and their three children Malachy, Delphi and Cheska. Picture: Hamish Blair

Liberatore had put together a flawless pre-season before his knee crumpled, but he put his head down and rehabbed the injury with both club and player keen for him to sign a new deal.

“Despite the disappointment of that setback, Tom has attacked his recovery extremely well and our medical staff are very happy with the progress he has made so far,’’ Grant said.

“Tom will continue to progress through his rehab program in the off-season in preparation for the start of our 2019 pre-season.”

The Dogs have drawn exciting first seasons from top-20 picks Ed Richards and Aaron Naughton, with Josh Schache playing the last dozen games of the season for 16 goals and some excellent moments.

The Dogs are closing in a long-term contract extension for Marcus Bontempelli, with Dale Morris to play on but contract decisions ahead on Jordan Roughead, Luke Dahlhaus and Mitch Wallis.

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