Luke Beveridge has admitted he wasn’t sure whether Tom Liberatore would ever play again only a month ago.
The star midfielder has had persistent knee complications since tearing his ACL at the start of 2018, including multiple setbacks that have cost him games in 2019 and 2020.
Liberatore returned to the side for last night’s win over GWS and looked at his absolute best, finishing with 18 disposals and a goal.
His ball-use was particularly impressive, while he also picked up four clearances.
“I must admit for a long period of time, even up until probably a month ago I had my doubts that he’d ever play AFL footy again,” Beveridge told Fox Footy.
“He’s been through such an ordeal coming back from knee reconstructions and if you were in the inner sanctum and watched him limp around, he’s back he’s in rehab and then you think he’s almost back to full fitness and still there’s a limp, you’d have significant concerns.
“What’s transpired over the last three weeks is probably a bit of a surprise for me.
“Didn’t feel like he was totally right last week, he was talked about. But after his session last Saturday we had to pick him and as you mentioned he made a huge difference.
“He’s one of those teammates that you love playing with. The boys as soon as they hear he’s picked grinned like Cheshire cats. He was really important for us last night.”
The Bulldogs will jump on a plane to New South Wales to take on Sydney next Thursday night.