A quick look at some key stats shows one thing.
Tom Liberatore’s output has been as important as any member of the Western Bulldogs’ midfield in 2021.
The 28-year-old hasn’t missed a game since the opening two weeks of 2020.
His performances last year saw him finish third in the Bulldogs’ best and fairest.
This year, he’s having a big impact again, and helping the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Adam Treloar to do the same.
Liberatore is ranked among the competition’s elite in a number of areas.
His clearance work is a the top of the list.
Liberatore is the AFL’s leading clearance winner after six rounds, with 49, three clear of Hawthorn’s Jaeger O’Meara.
He ranks fourth for pressure acts with 159 – a tally led by a member of this week’s opposition, Jack Graham (167).
His ability to win the ball at ground level is fifth – just two behind four players tied for top spot – and he’s ranked sixth for contested possessions, and eighth for tackles.
On the offensive end, no midfielder has more score launches than Liberatore.
He sits eighth overall with 19 – surrounded by ruckmen from first to seventh, and ninth.
Plus being sixth in the competition for delivering the ball inside-50.
Not a bad start to the season for the influential Bulldog, who notched his 150th game back in round two.
