When Tom Liberatore injured his knee last season, the absence of the hard-edged midfielder created opportunities for his teammates to spread the load and increase their midfield time.

Fast forward 12 months, and it is injuries to a trio of half-back playmakers - Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen and Matthew Suckling – that presents an opportunity for Liberatore to expand his own horizons.
 
Renowned as a hard-ball and clearance specialist, Liberatore has been used in more diverse roles since his return from injury, including stints across half back.
 
For the first time in his career last week against the Lions, Liberatore didn’t record a single clearance to his name, speaking to the increased time he’s spending away from the coalface.
 
In his best and fairest year in 2014, Liberatore attended an average of 26 centre bounces per match. This year he’s attending an average of just 12 centre bounces per match.
 
Senior Coach Luke Beveridge has instilled a mantra of versatility amongst his group since taking the helm, and the evolution this season of Liberatore, one of the league’s premier inside midfielders, speaks to this.
 
Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Beveridge pointed to Liberatore as one player that heeded the call to step-up and fill the break in the absence of the Club’s first choice half-backs.
 
“Last year we lost some midfielders but our boys really covered that, but this year it’s our high defenders who’ve got the curse.
 
“Last week we spread it through there – Tommy Liberatore went played on that half-back flank in the last half.
 
“So we haven’t finalised selection [this week] but we’ve got choices around whether we bring a defender in for Suckers or whether we go with an inside or outside mid in that half-back role.
 
“It’s nice to have choices and we’ll field a really strong side on Friday night.”  
 
Despite the loss of key personnel, the confidence and enthusiasm within the group has the Bulldogs well placed to tackle the league-leaders in North Melbourne on Friday night.
 
“You go in there today, they’re up and about the boys, they’re enjoying each other’s company, they’re doing their weights, listening to a bit of music.
 
“So they’re in good spirits, which is what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to keep the momentum going, the enthusiasm going, the feeling amongst our fans, we want to keep taking the Club in the right direction.
 
“Friday night promises to be a great night.”