Western Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore will miss this weekend's clash with Sydney after suffering what was his seventh concussion since 2017 in the round six loss to Geelong.
In light of that, North Melbourne champion David King believes the 33-year-old should consider calling time on his career to prioritise his health.
One of the toughest midfielders of the last decade, Liberatore has built a reputation as an elite contest and clearance midfielder, doing the hard yards at the bottom of stoppages.
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But he has now accumulated seven concussions in the last nine years, the most recent of which came in round six against Geelong, after an accidental collision with Patrick Dangerfield's leg.
Given the long-term ramifications of repeated concussions, and the growing understanding of those effects in sporting communities, King's advice for Liberatore would be to hang up the boots and take the situation seriously.
"If I had half an hour with 'Libba', I'd say, 'mate, walk away'. 'You've got another 50 to 60 years of your life to come, you just can't keep taking impact to the brain'," King told SEN on Monday.
"We're learning more and more about it. I don't see the Dogs winning it this year, not many would after the injury impact from not just the weekend, but they're just not there.
"So if they don't win it this year, would they even go with Libba next year? Would the club even put him back on the list? Would he be a major player for them?
"I just think it's time to say, 'right, you know what, I've got to put myself first'.
"So I'm hoping that is the decision that he comes to."
When asked if the call should be made for Liberatore by the AFL concussion panel or by his family, King said the onus was still on the player to make the decision at this stage.
"You'd have to talk him around. It would have to be his call in the end but I think he needs some strong people around him that are prepared to say, 'hey mate, we love you and this is what needs to happen'," he said.
"He could easily come back and play and probably be a serviceable player.
"But you're not just talking about the concussion, there's also the sub concussive stuff that he does. He's been leading with his head for 15 to 20 years, he's not changing.
"So I just think the next one is one more too many."
Liberatore has played 260 career games for the Bulldogs, including playing in the 2016 premiership, winning the club's best and fairest in 2014, coming runner-up on three occasions, and is the son of Brownlow Medallist and Bulldogs legend Tony Liberatore.
When asked about the veteran midfielder on Tuesday, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he is feeling alright and in line to return once he exits concussion protocols following round seven.
"Tom's in (at the club) today. He's OK. He has come out of the game pretty good," Beveridge said.
"He's feeling well, he's sleeping, he hasn't got any headaches or anything like that, so it's good signs."
In 2025, the AFL's concussion panel forced West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern to retire, due to his growing list of concussions and worsening symptoms.
The 2018 premiership hero was "gutted" by the decision, but ultimately had to accept that his career was over.
Melbourne premiership star Angus Brayshaw, Collingwood pair Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Brisbane defender Marcus Adams, West Coast's Daniel Venables and Luke Edwards and teenage Bulldog Aiden O'Driscoll have all exited the game because of concussion in the last few years.
Beveridge however doesn't believe Liberatore has reached that stage of concern.
"He hasn't been to a concussion panel," Beveridge said.
"No, my understanding is that he'll go through the usual protocols, and whether that means he's available for the Fremantle game, or not, I'm not sure.
"We're pretty conservative looking after players who've had a head knock or two.
"If there are any signs that Tom needs a bit longer, I'm sure our medical crew won't let him play. But he seems to be OK. But he hasn't been to a panel."
Liberatore is out of contract at the end of 2026, having signed a one-year extension with the Dogs in 2025.
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