Veteran midfielder Tom Liberatore is set to extend his time at the Western Bulldogs.
Liberatore - who was promoted to the leadership team on the eve of the 2024 season - is closing in on a one-year contract extension, locking him in at the Kennel until the end of 2025, according to journalist Sam Edmund.
TOM Liberatore is closing in on another contract extension at the Western Bulldogs. Liberatore is poised to sign a one-year deal that will carry him through until the end of 2025.
The midfielder signed a one-year contract this time last year and is as prolific as ever. @1116sen— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) March 17, 2024
The 31-year-old has seen an impressive resurgence in the last few seasons, resulting in back-to-back Doug Hawkins' Medal in 2022 and 2023 (runners-up) as well as snubbings from the All-Australian squad.
Liberatore has become a key component of Luke Beveridge's midfield, being the first port of call to win the football and hand it out to the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar.
Celebrating a family milestone where both Tom and Tony Liberatore combined for an impressive 500 games across their careers, the 2016 premiership player was once again prolific through the centre of the ground against Melbourne, gathering 32 disposals and nine clearances.
Speaking to the Herald Sun about the accomplishment, Tom recognised it as a "proud moment", speaking volumes of his father's influence.
“I suppose when you pause and think about it, it is a proud moment for me, because I wasn't going to play many games without him,” the tough midfielder said.
“He was able to get me on the list. It really speaks volumes about what he's done for me.”
Unfortunately, the Liberatores weren't able to celebrate it in style, with the Bulldogs going down to the Demons by 45 points on Sunday.
After bursting onto the scene as a father-son selection back in 2010, Tom experienced a host of off-field issues following the flag in 2016, including being dropped from the leadership group.
Liberatore subsequently saw a slump in form and found himself in the VFL at times.
In 2018, the 2014 Charles Sutton Medallist suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, ruling him out for the season.
Since 2020, Liberatore and the Bulldogs have seen a spike in form, returning to the podium in the club's best and fairest count for the last four years.
And now returning to the leadership group, the 31-year-old admits it's a full-circle moment.
“It's quite humbling, and it means a lot to be recognised by your peers and to try and help out ‘Bont' (captain Marcus Bontempelli),” Liberatore said.
“It's been great … coming back and playing every week after having a few years of injury and bad form in sort of (20) 17 and (20) 18, the knee injuries and all that stuff. (It is good) to be playing consistent football and it all sort of flows on from there.”
The Bulldogs will look to record their first win of the 2024 season in Round 2, as they host the Gold Coast Suns in Ballarat, on Sunday, March 24.
