Emerging young gun, Tom Liberatore, has spoken for the first time about the King St incident in 2012 that saw him suspended from the Club at the end of last season.

Liberatore, 20, has told the Herald Sun that he has been working hard to earn back the respect of those around him at the Club and beyond.

“I let down a lot of people, that was how I felt. The first thing you really think about is the Club, your family and friends. I knew I’d lost their respect and lost their trust.

“I had been selfish in a lot of ways. I made things harder for a lot of people and I made the Club look bad”.

"There was not going to be a quick fix. I didn't have to make some herioc attempt to come back as I had their support all through it, but I just had to put my head down and work.

"I just had to train hard and show that I actually cared about playing footy and playing for the club”.

Son of former Bulldog great, Tony Liberatore, the third year player has credited his flying early season form to hard work.

"I think it's more my attitude and mindset to what I have to do to prepare and be a professional footballer has changed.

"The underlying factor is I just want to improve and make up for my mistake…the key (is) showing up and keeping a good attitude during the year and being a professional week to week.

"The bigger picture is playing for the team and improving where we are at as a club. We're a young side and we've got to start coming together a lot more.

“I just want to play my role for everyone else and build stronger mateship around the entire club."