EXPECTATIONS can weigh heavily on aspiring players as the AFL Under 18 National Championships unfold, but for Tom Liberatore it’s a fairly straight forward equation.
Liberatore noted that his first and foremost priority is towards Vic Metro being successful with individual success a by-product of the team performing well.
It’s a philosophy Liberatore and his teammates carry into the Championships, which begin on Sunday against Vic Country at the MCG.
“If we think of the team first then any individual stuff will take care of itself. The team must come first,” Liberatore said.
“At the start of the year when we came into induction day and pretty much throughout every training session, the theme has been one of supporting your teammate and doing the right thing in regard to team targets.
“It is something that has been pushed by the players as well as the coaches.”
Liberatore pointed to the success of the better performed TAC Cup teams. “You only have to look at which club has got the most players in the squad for your answer,” he said.
Playing for Vic Metro became a target for Liberatore in November last year when he set his goals for the 2010 season.
Liberatore broke his aims into three sections – start, middle and end of the season. “I aimed to do my best to gain a spot in the Metro squad by the middle of the year and cement it.
“I’ve been trying to push towards this for as long as the season has been going.
“To represent Calder and to represent my school and to represent my State is something that means a hell of a lot. I know I’m going to give everything I’ve got.”
As he dove head first into such a target, Liberatore identified that he needed to work more on his “outside game” so he could impact a match by hurting the opposition with his finishing skills.
“I knew I needed to do things outside my comfort zone so I could improve all parts of my game so I could tick all the boxes.”
Working with his coaches at Calder and also at St Kevin’s, Liberatore has worked diligently on becoming a better ‘finishing player’.
“My running was pretty much where I needed to improve so I did a heavy work load over pre-season in regard to sprinting and middle distance running,” Liberatore said.
“But, I still had to maintain my strength along with that so I could be strong in tackling and contested ball work.”
While he’s fluctuated from the TAC to APS football, Liberatore said he had adjusted well and there had been no adverse impact on his football.
Playing against Country in the Championship opener only adds for Liberatore the aura of the series.
“Each team’s competitiveness seems to bring the best out of everyone. I know we’re all looking forward to it,” Liberatore said.
Last Modified on 31/05/2010 13:14