Western Bulldogs champion Tom Liberatore has announced his retirement after a decorated 16-year career.

A father-son selection who joined the Kennel in 2010 – following in the footsteps of his dad Tony – Liberatore went on to become one of the most respected and hard-nosed midfielders of the modern era.

A 2016 premiership player and 2014 Charles Sutton Medallist, he built a reputation as the heart and soul of the Bulldogs, a fierce competitor on-field and a respected leader and mentor off it.

Liberatore amassed 268 games for his boyhood club, kicking 93 goals and becoming just the 15th Bulldog to reach 250 games. Last year he was selected as one of the 25 Greatest Bulldogs to ever wear the red, white and blue.

“This Club and its community have been such a huge part of my life,” Liberatore said.

“I’m so fortunate to have lived out my dream for 16 years, from watching my old man play for the Club to being part of a premiership that meant so much to all of our fans and to the western suburbs, it’s been a real privilege.

“I still love being here and competing each week but it’s time for me to step aside, spend more time with my family and friends and support this great Club from the stands.

“I’ve built lifelong friendships with many teammates through the years, that’s what means the most to me.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at the Club: players, coaches and staff for the amount of effort and time they’ve dedicated to me over the years.

“I also want to thank the members and fans who have been incredible during my time here and supported me through all of the ups and downs.

“I’m really proud of where the Club is going and excited about what the group is capable of moving forward. I’m looking forward to watching on with a beer in hand.”

Tom and father Tony Liberatore became only the second father-son pairing to play 250 games for the same club, joining Essendon greats Ken and Dustin Fletcher.

The 33-year-old’s career had no shortage of adversity, including twice rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament before returning in 2019 to produce the most sustained form of his career.

Universally loved and respected across the competition, Liberatore has earned consistent admiration for his committed approach and willingness to do anything for his team.

In 2024, Liberatore was named vice-captain of the AFL team, supporting great mate and long-time skipper Marcus Bontempelli and captaining five games in his absence in 2025.

Bulldogs AFL Senior Coach Luke Beveridge lauded the contribution Liberatore has made throughout his time at the Club.

“Tom has been the spiritual catalyst within our playing ranks for such a long period of time,” Beveridge said.

“Through the challenges he has faced, he has had a fierce will and desire to claw his way back. Libba has always set about influencing everyone he comes in contact with in his own unique, caring and quirky characteristic way.

“Always a fierce competitor, he has been inspirational with his tenacity and confrontational brand ensuring his teammates always walk a little taller and feel a little more self-assured.

“I am extremely grateful to have coached Tom and I know all of our people see it as a great privilege to have shared Tom’s AFL football experience with him.”

While he will be long remembered for his accolades and impact on the game, his resilience, character and social conscience has shaped the person he has become and will continue to be as his on-field chapter comes to a close.

Liberatore’s journey has included a long-time involvement with the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation as an ambassador, advocate and volunteer, dedicating his time to mentoring youth, supporting local educational programs and doing whatever he can to tackle homelessness in Melbourne’s west.

Most recently, he worked with the Salvation Army to help launch the Lighthouse Café in the heart of the west, designed to help support the local community by providing a hot meal and safe place to those who need it, efforts that have been recognised with a second consecutive nomination for the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.