When a player retires, especially prematurely, the focus inevitably falls onto how that particular player is feeling about their career being cut short, in Clay Smith’s case, by injury.

While the fans have their outlet for paying tribute, what about the players’ teammates?

Four things to watch: Ballarat edition

Long time teammates grow up together, share the highs, the lows and form bonds that can often last a life time, when suddenly it ends.

In this week’s Freedom in a Cage podcast, Tom Liberatore said his close mate’s retirement had him questioning his own football mentality for perhaps the first time.

“Once the day game, to see him in front of the group and after playing with him at 18/19 (years old), that was the first moment where it was like, ‘we’re getting a bit older here’,” Liberatore told Bob Murphy and Adi Brown this week.

“We’re not overly, but to have one of your good mates you’ve played with since the start give a retirement speech prematurely, it was pretty hard to witness.”

Freedom in a Cage: Episode 18 | Tom Liberatore

Drafted two years apart, Liberatore in 2010 (pick 41) and Smith in 2012 (pick 17), the pair grew close through tragedy and triumph, sharing long stints rehab and of course, both were key parts of the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership team.

Liberatore said he had nothing but admiration for how his now former teammate handled such a difficult announcement.

“Initially with Clay, it was pretty devastating.  We’ve been pretty close for a while, he said.

“But the way he handled it with the humility and maturity he spoke with was pretty inspiring.”

Fans will get their chance to say farewell Smith when he does a lap of honour before ahead of Sunday’s clash with Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

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