Tony Liberatore first met Jason Johannisen when Tony’s son, Tom was drafted to the club in 2011.
Johannisen was picked up in the Rookie Draft that same year, and the two crossed paths when parents of the draftees were invited to the Club as part of a meet and greet.
Libba noticed that the young West Australian had been handed his old Guernsey number, 39, and made a point to introduce himself. The two formed a bond that remains to this day.
“As a parent we were invited at the club. JJ was shy and I noticed he was given the same number I wore. I wished him all the best and told him that I would love to see him wear the number for his entire career.
“I went back to the club a year later for a past player gathering and JJ made his way to me and said hello. I was so impressed with him that I went and player sponsored him,” Liberatore said.
When asked whether there are any similarities between his own game and the 283 game icon of Whitten Oval, Johannisen laughs.
“Nah I think I’m a bit quicker than him aren’t I?”
But he does think he can still learn a bit from the 1990 Brownlow Medallist.
“He’s a tenacious player and that’s something that I could add to my game. I’m just really proud to be wearing Tony’s number. He’s a legend of the club and he’s an awesome person as well. “
Fittingly, Johannisen won the Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player Award at the 2015 Sutton Medal and Libba Snr. couldn’t have been happier.
“Watching him play this year has been brilliant. His confidence has grown so much to the point where he is now an integral part of the side. The way he wins the ball, and his run and carry is fantastic to watch.”
Libba said that he sees more of a certain ex-teammate in Johannisen, than himself.
“Last year I was in Darwin watching a game with Michael 'Magic’ McLean. JJ was in full flight, and I asked Magic, ‘who does he remind you of?’
“He turned and looked at me and said, ‘he’s not as smooth as me'. We had a laugh.
“It was funny, watching the game I thought Tom (Liberatore) was mirroring me and JJ, Magic.”
