Consistency is often an elusive trait in young AFL players but Western Bulldogs Senior Coach Brendan McCartney has praised third year recruit Tom Liberatore on his form this season.

Averaging over 11 clearances in his past four games – including a whopping 14 against Brisbane on Sunday – the 21-year-old has performed well above what is expected of his age this year.

“He’s (Liberatore) a good player – he’s a very good player,” McCartney said.

“The difference between his best and his worst is quite small.

“For a third year player he just consistently gets better each week and that is quite rare.”

Leading the competition in clearances by 14, the 2010 father-son selection is consolidating his place as an elite contested ball winner, ranked second in the league in contested possessions and sixth in tackles.

The midfielder’s influence against the Lions on Sunday around the contest was pivotal, helping the Bulldogs return to the basics and win the ball when it was in dispute.

McCartney’s men rallied after falling 57-points behind in the second quarter to come within a goal of the ninth placed Brisbane side in the final term.

“When we move away from the things that are distinctive to us we get into real trouble,” he said.

“Nothing outlandish, they are just the basics of the game - that is a strong contest and making early defensive decisions and playing the game as it unfolds.

“We got back to that and got a better result [in the second half].”