TOUGH Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore has equalled the record for the most tackles in a VFL/AFL game, with a standout performance against Melbourne on Sunday. 

The Bulldogs' 2014 best and fairest winner laid an incredible 19 tackles in the win over the Demons at the MCG, nearly a quarter of the Dogs' total tackle count (83).

Liberatore looked set to smash the record after recording seven tackles in the opening quarter alone.

At half-time he had 10 of his team's 30 tackles, laying another seven in the third term.

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Liberatore needed just three tackles in the final quarter to break the record held by North Melbourne vice-captain Jack Ziebell and former Sydney Swan Jude Bolton.

But he fell agonisingly short, laying just two tackles in the last stanza to equal the record.

Coach Luke Beveridge praised the midfielder's performance after the game, declaring his effort "outstanding".

"We're not a huge tackling side because we are a high possession side, but that was almost a quarter of our tackles I think. It's quite extraordinary, in particular his third and fourth efforts," Beveridge said after the win.

"It's never-say-die stuff and it sets an example for his teammates."

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Liberatore, who turns 24 on Monday, missed all of last season after rupturing his ACL during the NAB Challenge.

In 2014, he was the No.1 clearance player in the competition and ranked No.1 at the Whitten Oval for contested possessions.

So far this season, he's ranked No.3 at the Bulldogs for clearances and contested possession, behind Luke Dahlhaus and Mitch Wallis.

But he has slowly been building with Beveridge telling reporters the midfielder was beginning to re-capture his best form.

"I think over the last two or three weeks he's just started to get his mojo back as a stoppage and inside midfielder," he said.

"He's been very, very good for us."

Teammate Lachie Hunter said the return of Liberatore this season has elevated the Bulldog's midfield to another level.

"It's unbelievable isn't it? I looked up in the third and saw he had 17 tackles. His pressure around the ball is awesome," Hunter told AFL.com.au.

"Before he did his knee he was the premier clearance player in the comp. It's great havin