Emerging midfielder Tom Liberatore is eyeing the first contest against an experienced St Kilda brigade - eager to make amends for the team’s big loss to the finals aspirant back in round three.

Off the back of some solid form in recent weeks, Liberatore is determined to break out of the barriers early and continue to build on his career best ten clearances against Carlton last Saturday night.

“This week is definitely even more of a motivation, to make amends for last time and really put it to their midfielders and try to do the best for the team,” Liberatore said, “…I have struggled against them in the past.

“Last week was a massive improvement so I am looking forward to coming up against them now.

“I found myself in the right spots and put my head over the ball when I needed to, so I am pleased to be improving each week.”

Averaging more than 24 disposals and seven clearances in the past five rounds, Liberatore has been increasingly impressive around the stoppages - behind only skipper Matthew Boyd in clearances this year at the Bulldogs.

Liberatore’s dominance in fact ranks him 15th in the league for average clearances and 14th for total clearances this year, despite only being in his second season on an AFL list. 

“I have felt pretty comfortable over the last few weeks and a lot of that is to do with the coaching and the players around me… but at no point can you be too comfortable at all, so have to keep trying to improve and keep getting better.”

Liberatore and fellow father son recruit Mitch Wallis are increasingly making an impact on game day with their clearance work and drive - providing ample support for Club stalwarts Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross and Liam Picken through the middle.

“Mitch and I have both been given a pretty good opportunity to play a role for the team and give blokes like Griffen, Boyd, Crossy and Picken a good chop out - and even Clay [Smith] as well has stepped up this year,” Liberatore said.

“It will definitely help us going into this week because St Kilda have a very experienced line-up.”

Believing the result will be determined at the contest, the pressure will be on Liberatore and his fellow midfielders from the first bounce.

“I think the game will be won or lost at the contest and definitely from there it will be won or lost in the way we move the ball,” he said.

“St Kilda usually like to have an extra man behind the ball… to counteract our attack so I think if we can take care of the contest first and be more physical around the footy that will help and get us on the right foot.

“From there we need to find the right way to move the ball forward and give our forward’s the best chance to score when they are one on one.”

Despite a 63 point defeat to St Kilda in Round 3 this year, Liberatore said the Bulldogs are better equipped to compete with the tenth placed Saints this time around.

“The way we understand the structures have improved - so the way we setup stoppages or the way we can cover off defensively for another teammate,” he said.
 
“I suppose things like that have definitely improved which will allow the game to be played easier and which will allow our ball movement to be more efficient and give us a better chance to score.”