Tom Liberatore receives positive test results, return in round 7 possible

In some positive news for Tom Liberatore, the star midfielder has been cleared of a range of health issues following a battery of tests undertaken since last week’s late-game collapse.

Western Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore could make his AFL return against Fremantle in round 7 after being cleared of a range of health issues following a battery of tests undertaken since last week’s dramatic late-game collapse.

Liberatore played out the final moments of last week’s loss to Essendon, despite falling to the ground late in the game.

The Bulldogs medical staff became aware of Liberatore’s stumble and fall in the final moments of the match, though he passed a SCAT 6 concussion test in the rooms.

But a thorough examination of the footage from the game found two incidents late in the match – an over the top handball where he was clipped and a crunching tackle from Jake Stringer less than a minute before the collapse – which saw the club put the hard-edge midfielder into concussion protocols out of extreme caution. That rules the 31-year-old out of Thursday night’s crucial clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, though he has not felt any concussion symptoms throughout the week.

Tom Liberatore could back back for round 7. Picture: Michael Klein

The club wanted to ensure there were no other underlying issues with Liberatore’s health, so he had a battery of medical tests across the past 48 hours to check his heart, lungs and a range of other issues.

The Herald Sun understands all those tests have come back clear, which potentially paves the way for Liberatore to return against the Dockers at Perth Stadium on April 26.

Liberatore initially told the Dogs his collapse was due to ankle soreness and exhaustion, but a close look at the vision left the club determined to put him into protocols on Saturday.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the club had “no regrets” over its handling of Liberatore’s on-field collapse, which is now believed to have been a “concussive episode”.

In his post-match press conference Beveridge had initially repeated Liberatore’s claim that his fall was due to an ankle tweak, but it is understood the coach had not seen the camera angle that suggested the incident was medical-related.

Darcy Parish showed concern for Liberatore after the collapse. Picture: Getty Images

“We’re ultra conservative … the interesting thing about Tom’s situation, to come in and pass the concussion test, totally lucid – everything was saying that he was OK, but ultimately there was an episode,” Beveridge said on Tuesday.

“If we missed it, (the AFL) would alert us to it. Thankfully, he seems like he’s OK, but we’re ultra conservative and our medical staff will make sure we put him through the ringer to ensure other than the head side of things that everything else is in working order.”

The Dogs have shown extreme caution in recent times with a handful of its players in relation to head knocks.

Draftee Aiden O’Driscoll is yet to be given the green light to resume following a sickening clash with teammate Bailey Williams in January.

All-Australian ruckman Tim English also spent a month out of contact drills after suffering ‘migraine-related symptoms.”

Originally published as Tom Liberatore receives positive test results, return in round 7 possible