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WHEN Gary Ablett finally relinquishes his mantle as the best midfielder in the game, the unlikely figure of Tom Liberatore has the tools to inherit his thorny crown.
Adelaide jet Patrick Dangerfield, Fremantle semi-trailer driver Nathan Fyfe or Richmond captain Trent Cotchin will all be candidates to an unofficial title that Bob Skilton, Leigh Matthews and Robert Harvey held over the years.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ANDO'S MIDFIELD MAESTROS AND A STAR SWAN WHO COULD NEED SURGERY
Then there are the kids such as Harley Bennell, Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara, or even the better established in Joel Selwood, Scott Pendlebury and Daniel Hannebery.
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But it's the blue-collar worker in Tom Liberatore who I believe will eventually become the next supreme master of the midfield.
"Libba" may lack the explosiveness of Dangerfield, the marking of Fyfe or the exquisite balance of Cotchin, but he has an ability to win contested ball rarely seen from one so young.
Tom Liberatore in action on Wednesday. Source: News Corp Australia
We are talking about a 21-year-old who last year led the AFL in clearances, finished third behind Sydney's Josh Kennedy and Ablett in contested possession and ranked fourth in total tackles.
His tackling, at an average of more than six per game, is the area where he sets himself apart from most of his rivals, although Andrew Swallow, Pendlebury and Ablett also recorded strong averages.
Liberatore, 182cm, now has to add further dimensions to his inside game and that will come as his running patterns improve as they have over summer.
Kicking more goals (just 11 in 55 games) and becoming dangerous inside the forward 50m will become a focus for a lad who arrived at the Western Bulldogs via St Kevin's, Calder under-18s and St Bernard's.
He will never have the breakaway speed that has been the signature of Ablett and Chris Judd, but nor did Greg Williams or Michael Voss. Liberatore will always find the ball. And if his level of improvement continues its current trend, he will be something very special in three years.
Ablett at 21 was a very exciting small forward, but former Geelong great Paul Couch was laughed at in 1984 when he said the then 20-year-old Ablett had the ability to rival Voss, if not surpass him.
No one is laughing now. Liberatore may just be a similar package.
Gary Ablett has two Brownlow medals. Source: Getty Images
ANDO'S MIDFIELD MAESTROS
The best VFL/AFL midfielder since 1960
1960-65: Bob Skilton
1966-70: Ian Stewart
1971-75: Kevin Bartlett
1976-80: Leigh Matthews
1981-85: Tim Watson
1986-90: Greg Williams
1991-95: Garry Hocking
1996-2000: Robert Harvey
2001-05: Michael Voss
2006-13: Gary Ablett
A LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
IN keeping with the recent trend of elite golfers on AFL lists (as in Brendon Goddard and Sam Fisher), Carlton's Dale "Daisy" Thomas shows some talent.
Thomas, 26, can hit a seriously long ball as evidenced by a booming drive on the fifth hole at Green Acres Golf Club in Kew at a pro-am on February 7.
The hole was playing 283m when right-hander Thomas stepped up and smashed his drive 4m past the cup to win the longest drive.
For his efforts Thomas won a $500 Nike driver which he promptly handed to 15-year-old club member Tom Allan with the sentence: "You will use it more than me."
Given Thomas plays off a liberal 27 he clearly spends more of his spare time surfing than driving and putting. Even so, it would probably be wise not to involve money when next playing him.
Dale Thomas Tees off. Source: News Limited
HAVE YOU HEARD?
SYDNEY gun forward Kurt Tippett is suffering from a form of knee tendinitis that may require surgery should it worsen.
Word is the 202cm ex-basketballer has been restricted of late, but will push on in the hope it improves. If not, he could head down the Steven Motlop surgery route which could mean up to three months on the sidelines.
Kurt Tippett could need surgery. Source: Getty Images
DUNSTALL FOR THE COUCH?
JASON Dunstall is expected to occupy the vacant On The Couch seat for 2014, with the line-up to be named on Monday night at the annual FOX FOOTY launch.
Dunstall, 49, will replace Paul Roos and was selected for the show's 20th season ahead of Michael Voss, Mark Ricciuto, John Worsfold and David King.
On The Couch with Bruce McAvaney hosting and Mike Sheahan leading interrogator, began in 1995 as Talking Footy on Channel Seven with Malcolm Blight in the expert's seat.
Blight was followed by Leigh Matthews, Blight again, Terry Wallace, Robert Walls, James Hird and Roos.
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