AFL Richmond v Western Bulldogs: Tom Liberatore stars in thrilling 199th game for Bulldogs

The lyrics “Bulldogs bite and Bulldogs roar,” in the Dogs’ theme may not be better summated than by the man who wears the number 21 for the Dogs, as he prepares for a special milestone.

Sam Landsberger

@samlandsberger

3 min read

April 9, 2023 - 10:08AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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Luke Beveridge played with Brownlow Medallist Tony Liberatore from 1993-95 and has coached his son, Tom Liberatore, through two knee reconstructions and a premiership since 2015.

On Saturday night, against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, ‘Libba’ is set to play his 200th match.

It’s a milestone worth celebrating for the heart-and-soul onballer, who warmed up with two goals and 10 tackles in game No. 199 against Richmond.

Those two majors were both kicked in the first quarter … the first after a vintage tackle on Liam Baker and the second a goal on the run kicked coming out of traffic on his wrong foot.

“You talk about ancestry – the Liberatores with our football club,” Beveridge said after scoring the club’s first win against the Tigers at the MCG since his second game in charge.

Liberatore celebrates an early goal against the Tigers. Pic: Michael Klein

“(Tom’s) had his trials and tribulations, as we know. But he’s a father to Oscar – I don’t know if he’s matured – but he’s stabilised his life and what he does for our team and our club is significant.

“With his knee injuries he’s a little bit modified with what he does in training, so he needs to really look after himself.

“It’ll be great to salute him and celebrate the fact that he’s going to get the double century. He might hold the bat up again.”

Beveridge noted Saturday’s wild weather suited Liberatore’s in-and-under game … but added he was devilishly skilful and therefore could be just damaging in the dry.

Teammate Jason Johannisen remembered getting drafted with ‘Libba’ in 2010.

They are the sole survivors from a class that included Mitch Wallis, Jayden Schofield, Zephaniah Skinner, Tom Hill and rookies Luke Dahlhaus and Ed Barlow.

“We’ve been through the same journey – 13 years, it’s unbelievable,” Johannisen told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“He’s just the heart and soul of this footy club and to get to 200 games he should be extremely proud and I’m excited I’ll run out with him.

“You can just tell by the way he plays his footy. He’s just relentless and selfless, he’ll do anything for this team.

“He gets us going in games and he’s the soul around the locker room. He should be extremely proud.”

Johannisen and Liberatore were drafted together in 2010. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

Johannisen and Liberatore are fathers along with the likes of Adam Treloar, Josh Bruce, Alex Keath. Compare that maturity to Hawthorn, whose only dad is 20-year-old Tyler Brockman.

What’s Liberatore like as a 30-year-old like off the field?

“He’s a larrikin,” JJ said.

“I think most people’s perceptions of him are pretty accurate. He loves to have a laugh, but he’s so caring.

“He understands, he knows when to pick you up and get the group going with the banter and all the funny stuff – 200 is a hell of an achievement.”

That banter included WhatsApp-ing his teammates to announce the birth of Oscar … only to joke to them he was called ‘Tennys’, after Libba was floored by Australian Open competitor Tennys Sandgren, from Tennessee, playing tennis that summer.

Or naming one of his bulldogs after his dad … but opting for the girl (Toni) instead of the boy (Earl).

Or forgetting his boots on grand final day in 2016. Or getting around in a two-door Australia Post van purchased off Gumtree.

Or telling the club’s website at a signing day that his autograph was designed as a six-month baby because “I had to start paying for my own stuff. My parents weren’t around so I had to sign off a bit”.

Liberatore will play his 200th game for the Bulldogs next weekend. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Last year Liberatore finished runner-up in the Charles Sutton Medal. His speech was: “I’m a man of few words … any questions”.

The humour runs deeper than the Dogs’ midfield

They won clearances 15-6 and inside 50s 16-6 in the final quarter to run over Richmond without Alex Keath (concussion) and Hayden Crozier (back).

It was a spirited win, one where Tim English and Bailey Smith were asked to stay on the field for the entire fourth term.

English might be the All-Australian ruckman this year while captain Marcus Bontempelli (12 clearances) might have five Brownlow Medal votes in the past two games.

But Liberatore is this club’s heartbeat. Recently he signed on for 2024.

Tom might not match Tony’s 283 games, but he’s been just as feisty, fun and physical as his old man, and arguably far more skilful.

It’s a father-son combination worth cherishing.