There are fears for the playing future of Western Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore with the AFL’s medical team suddenly becoming “heavily involved” in his recovery from repeat concussion incidents.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed that the AFL HQ is “taking over” after worrying scenes unfolded during the Western Bulldogs’ shock loss to Hawthorn on Sunday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AFL gets involved in Tom Liberatore’s concussion recovery.
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The premiership midfielder was making his first appearance in the AFL since collapsing against Essendon on April 12, which led to a stint in concussion protocols with his third diagnosis in less than a year.
He then collapsed again during the game against the Hawks after a stray boot collected his head and sliced his face open.
Liberatore had been due to return the previous week against Fremantle but he suffered a stomach bug at the 11th hour and was unable to recover in time.
Now, he has been ruled out indefinitely as the AFL looks into the issue.
“Typically what happens with these (situations) is that the Bulldogs and his club (doctor) would be involved,” Cleary said on Channel 7’s Talking Footy.
“The clubs typically brings these inhouse.
“But now, given the number of these (incidents) with Tom Liberatore, this is going to be taken over by the AFL and their chief medical officer Michael Madkissi.
“We know what happens and transpires from there, typically brain scans.”
Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw and Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy were both forced into retirement at the start of this year following extensive neurological testing and expert consultation.
“And then, if it gets to this stage, it could require the independent panel of doctors (making a decision) like Angus Brayshaw and Nathan Murphy,” Cleary said.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that.
“But the AFL is heavily involved in this one now as they will be with (Sydney’s) Tom McCartin given last year he missed seven games on two separate occasions due to concussion.”
Talking Footy host James Brayshaw is the uncle of Angus.
When looking at the Liberatore vision, he said: “They’re real worrying pictures, aren’t they?”
The Western Bulldogs said in a statement during the week: “Having suffered two concussions within a short space of time, Tom will be unavailable for an indefinite period as the club works through a thorough process before a return-to-play plan is determined.
“Tom’s health and wellbeing always remains the absolute priority during this period.”
The concerns surrounding Liberatore’s health started with two concussions last year.
He was sandwiched in Round 6 and then copped an accidental knee to the head in Round 22.
Late in the Dogs’ clash with Essendon last month, he fell to the ground with nobody near him.
Liberatore jogged on the sidelines at Whitten Oval on Thursday (today) while his teammates completed their main session.
“He’s come in this morning,” coach Luke Beveridge told reporters on Thursday.
“In regards to the concussion, I’m just totally leaving that to our medical professionals.
“I can’t really give an opinion on how he’s going.
“I ask him, and he says he’s OK but ultimately, clinically and from a diagnosis point of view, I can’t help you at all. We just hope he’s going to be fine.
“Great to see him here, and he will do his best to convince everyone that he’s going to be OK, but ultimately there’s more at play here.”
The Liberatore issue is just one of many confronting the club.
They have underperformed this season and several questions have been asked about Beveridge and his position.
Critics and fans have questioned his team selection decisions, as their performance wildly fluctuates. There are also rumours that some players are prepared to leave at season’s end.
But Beveridge insisted he’s not feeling any more pressure than he has in the past, and instead felt supported by his club.
“I’m probably blind or oblivious to (criticism) a little bit,” Beveridge said.
“What I do notice is how many supportive and great people come my way to express their care and their love sometimes.
“It’s during times like these you appreciate the goodness of people.
“I sort of get an inkling that I’m the centre of attention through how many messages and phone calls I get.
“But part of my coping technique is to just keep my head in the game and what I can control, and focus on making sure everyone here knows that I’m in the right place.”
– With AAP