The beloved Son of the ‘Scray wound back the clock for an unforgettable year in the red, white and blue.
In his 15thseason at Mission Whitten Oval, Libba showed the football community just how much of an impact he was still able to have.
With captain Marcus Bontempelli absent for the opening rounds of the season, it was Libba who stepped into the captaincy role with a resolute determination.
On-and-off the field, the 32-year-old midfielder showed his class.
Across the first five rounds of the year, Libba averaged 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions and impacted the scoreboard with seven score involvements and two goals.
Libba wouldn’t slowdown from there.
Enjoying a clean bill of health, he would go onto feature in every game for the Bulldogs enjoying a career best across all key measures.
Winding back the clock, the veteran would go onto average 26.5 disposals, 12.4 contested possessions and 6.3 clearances across the year.
Fans were able to come together to celebrate Libba’s 250th game milestone with the veteran putting on a show to remember.
A 27 disposal, 16 contested possession, 10 tackle masterclass was capped off with two goals in a big win over North Melbourne.
His match rating of 31.8 was the highest of any player across the Round as well as the highest ever of his career to date.
While the milestone was unforgettable, there will be one moment which will be forever etched into the minds of Bulldogs fans.
The Stawell Gift may be the race to typically watch across the Easter long-weekend; however, it was Libba who was burning up the turf as he put in one of the all-time great chase downs to snare St Kilda’s Bradley Hill.
The midfield bull took it upon himself to stop Hill from running amok on the wing, earning himself a standing ovation from the Bulldogs faithful in the process.
It has been over 10 years since Libba last stood atop the podium as the Club’s fairest and best player, however – on the back of an unforgettable season, the veteran could be join other club greats as a dual Charles Sutton medallist come the end of the evening.
Charles Sutton Medal history:
Charles Sutton Medallist – 2014
Doug Hawkins Medallist (second place) – 2013, 2022
Gary Dempsey Medallist (third place) - 2020
Chris Grant Best First Year Player – 2011
Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player – 2013
Scott West Most Courageous Player – 2014, 2016
Brad Johnson Best Team Player – 2014, 2020
Bruce Wilkinson Winner (AFL Trainers Award) – 2022
John Schultz Community Award – 2022
