AFL 2024: Bulldogs draftee Joel Freijah moves in with Tom Liberatore

The Western Bulldogs are making the most of Tom Liberatore’s cooking as two draftees caught the eye on the first day of pre-season training.

Tom Liberatore has taken in hard-running Western Bulldogs draftee Joel Freijah for his first season. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli was the only notable absence as the full squad hit the track for the first time this pre-season at Whitten Oval on Monday.

Bontempelli was at the club but kept to the gym as he continued to recover from ankle surgery earlier this month.

His return to full training is expected soon but he did not join in the 2km time trial as Bailey Smith held onto his title as the club’s premier runner, coming from behind to beat out impressive draftees Ryley Sanders and Joel Freijah.

Freijah, a wingman from western Victoria taken with pick 45, led most of the way before Smith and Sanders shot past him close to the finish.

The 18-year-old revealed the Bulldogs had moved him in with Tom Liberatore and said he was enjoying his start to life with the quirky veteran.

Bailey Smith stormed home to take out the Bulldogs’ 2km time trial from draftees Ryley Sanders and Joel Freijah. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

“I’m loving it – I moved in with Libba last Thursday night and then started training here Friday. The brand new facilities are really good, and I loved meeting all the boys,” Freijah said.

“The club worked out (the move) – they rang me up on draft night and said I’d be moving in with him, and he sent me a text that night, so I was pretty stoked with that.

“It’s been awesome, he’s been cooking really well. He made a steak the first night, and then a nice curry last night … he’s looking after me very well, and I’m just getting used to (Liberatore’s two dogs) as well.”

Freijah said he was eyeing a berth on the wing this season, with the Bulldogs seeking out his running power on draft night to improve their outside midfield stocks.

“Definitely, I think I’m a good chance (to play next year),” he said.

Western Bulldogs draftees Joel Freijah, Lachlan Smith, Ryley Sanders and Aiden O’Driscoll at Whitten Oval on Monday. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

“I just want to come in and earn respect, and I think I do that by working hard and training hard.”

Ruckman Lachlan Smith, who was selected by the Bulldogs two picks later at 47, said he thought he could also contribute at AFL level next season.

The 202cm teenager would be almost certainly thrown in the deep end if injuries struck both Tim English and Rory Lobb, with no other recognised rucks on the Bulldogs’ list.

“Physically, I think I’m up to it – I think I’ve got to work on my endurance a little bit to get up to this level, but I reckon I’d definitely be capable of playing next year if an opportunity showed,” Smith said.

New recruits James Harmes and Nick Coffield were on the track at Whitten Oval along with Adam Treloar, who trained lightly after the time trial along with Liberatore and Jason Johannisen.

Former Hawk Lachie Bramble was also present after the Bulldogs announced the speedster’s signing as a pre-season supplementary pick on the first day of the window.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Bulldogs draftee Joel Freijah moves in with Tom Liberatore