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View Full Version : Tom Liberatore will take over from Gary Ablett as the AFL’s next superstar



Greystache
01-03-2014, 11:36 PM
WHEN Gary Ablett finally relinquishes his mantle as the best midfielder in the game, the unlikely figure of Tom Liberatore has the tools to inherit his thorny crown.

Adelaide jet Patrick Dangerfield, Fremantle semi-trailer driver Nathan Fyfe or Richmond captain Trent Cotchin will all be candidates to an unofficial title that Bob Skilton, Leigh Matthews and Robert Harvey held over the years.

Then there are the kids such as Harley Bennell, Dion Prestia, Jaeger O’Meara, or even the better established in Joel Selwood, Scott Pendlebury and Daniel Hannebery.

But it’s the blue-collar worker in Tom Liberatore who I believe will eventually become the next supreme master of the midfield.

“Libba” may lack the explosiveness of Dangerfield, the marking of Fyfe or the exquisite balance of Cotchin, but he has an ability to win contested ball rarely seen from one so young.

We are talking about a 21-year-old who last year led the AFL in clearances, finished third behind Sydney’s Josh Kennedy and Ablett in contested possession and ranked fourth in total tackles.

His tackling, at an average of more than six per game, is the area where he sets himself apart from most of his rivals, although Andrew Swallow, Pendlebury and Ablett also recorded strong averages.

Liberatore, 182cm, now has to add further dimensions to his inside game and that will come as his running patterns improve as they have over summer.

Kicking more goals (just 11 in 55 games) and becoming dangerous inside the forward 50m will become a focus for a lad who arrived at the Western Bulldogs via St Kevin’s, Calder under-18s and St Bernard’s.

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He will never have the breakaway speed that has been the signature of Ablett and Chris Judd, but nor did Greg Williams or Michael Voss. Liberatore will always find the ball. And if his level of improvement continues its current trend, he will be something very special in three years.

Ablett at 21 was a very exciting small forward, but former Geelong great Paul Couch was laughed at in 1984 when he said the then 20-year-old Ablett had the ability to rival Voss, if not surpass him.

No one is laughing now. Liberatore may just be a similar package.

LINK (http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/jon-anderson-writes-tom-liberatore-will-take-over-from-gary-ablett-as-the-afls-next-superstar/story-fndv8weh-1226842283401)

Jeanette54
02-03-2014, 01:14 PM
Just like his dad, Tom now seems to be the barometer of the teams performance. For years Tony was the engine room of the 'Dogs. If he played well the team as a whole performed well. Tom has now assumed that mantle. With Tom, Mitch and Big Will's efforts in the packs that form around the bounces any opposition clearance now has to be well and truly earned.

bulldogtragic
02-03-2014, 01:24 PM
So it took 6 months for someone at the Hun to recognise his 2013 season. That aside, I agree his year last year was a cracker. After equally leading our brownlow count last year, the umps will continue to see him doing his thing. I'm expecting him again to top our votes, over the next decade, that might just be enough to get the Charlie.

mjp
02-03-2014, 02:45 PM
LOL.

Sorry, but what a ridiculous article. Claiming Ablett has held the 'best midfielder' title since 2006 is just on of the more ridiculous notions I have read...Watson was clearly 'best' in 2012, Swan in 2010, Judd is probably owed a couple of years...

Honestly, Libba is a pretty good player now but claiming that he is going to take some non-existent mantle from Ablett Jr is simply ridiculous.

Here is what will happen with recognition for Libba - he keeps playing well, we win enough games to play an important role in winning finals, he gets recognised for the rest of his career as a super player by every commentator out there whether he is still performing at a high level or not.

Remi Moses
03-03-2014, 03:41 AM
Pretty much right ^^
The piece is from Jon Anderson
Nuff said, he's the first person ever to order a take away pizza by driving into the pizza shop.