Western Bulldogs Veteran Tom Liberatore Steps Down as Vice-Captain
In a significant leadership reshuffle ahead of the 2026 AFL season, Western Bulldogs veteran Tom Liberatore has voluntarily stepped down from his role as vice-captain. The Bulldogs officially unveiled their revamped leadership group on Tuesday, confirming that star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli will continue as club captain for a remarkable seventh consecutive season.
Liberatore's Leadership Contribution Recognised
The much-respected 33-year-old midfielder had served as sole vice-captain since 2024, demonstrating his commitment to the club's leadership structure. During the early stages of the 2025 season, Liberatore even assumed the captaincy responsibilities for five matches when Bontempelli was sidelined with injury, providing crucial stability during a challenging period for the team.
While Liberatore will remain part of the extended leadership group, he will no longer hold an official title. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expressed gratitude for Liberatore's contributions, stating: "We are really grateful for Tom's willingness to take up the challenges attached to the vice-captain's responsibilities over the last two seasons."
Beveridge further elaborated on Liberatore's impact: "Through the early stages of the 2025 season it was critical that Tom stepped up on-and-off the field during the period Marcus was unavailable, providing a maturity and the stability we needed to ensure our players flourished during an uncertain time."
New Leadership Appointments at Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs' leadership restructure sees several players elevated to new positions:
- Aaron Naughton and Ed Richards have been appointed as joint vice-captains
- Rhylee West and Matt Kennedy have been added to the leadership group
- Bailey Dale and Cody Weightman retain their positions in the expanded eight-player leadership structure
Coach Beveridge highlighted West's development, noting: "As we seek to get the most out of ourselves, Rhylee has progressed to a heightened status within our club due to his on-field performances and his willingness to support his teammates and our staff."
Regarding Kennedy's addition to the leadership group, Beveridge commented: "Matt has made a significant impression on our people and our club on-and-off the field since arriving from Carlton at the end of 2024. His contributions on the field, through his commitment to the difficult parts of the game have endeared him to everyone involved with our club."
The leadership appointments were determined through a player vote with additional input from the football department, reflecting a democratic approach to team governance.
GWS Giants Also Announce Leadership Changes
In parallel leadership developments across the AFL, the GWS Giants have announced their own leadership restructure for the 2026 season. Star midfielder Tom Green has been elevated to vice-captain under the continued captaincy of Toby Greene, who enters his fourth season as skipper.
The Giants' new four-man leadership group sees Green joined by defenders Connor Idun and Jack Buckley as vice-captains. This represents a changing of the guard, with former vice-captains Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio making way for the new leadership structure.
Kelly, a 30-year-old veteran midfielder, relinquishes his vice-captaincy as he focuses on returning from hip surgery midway through the season. Coniglio, one of only two inaugural Giants players remaining alongside Greene, is determined to make up for lost time after an injury-plagued period limited him to just 25 games across the previous two seasons.
GWS football boss Jason McCartney praised the outgoing leaders while endorsing the new structure: "I'd also like to acknowledge the tremendous work and leadership of our two outgoing vice-captains, Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio. The work they've done as leaders of our club is immeasurable, and while they don't have the title anymore, we know they'll both continue to be incredible leaders."
Regarding the new appointments, McCartney added: "It's also great to have Tom, Connor and Jack take on expanded leadership roles and be elevated to vice-captains. All three continue to show exceptional leadership qualities and it's great to have them continue to develop as leaders under Toby's guidance."
Green has long been considered a future captain of GWS and has been part of the club's leadership development program alongside Idun for the past three years. Buckley's elevation marks his first inclusion in the formal leadership group, replacing injured small forward Brent Daniels and star defender Sam Taylor in the revised structure under coach Adam Kingsley.
McCartney expressed optimism about the new leadership mix: "Our leadership for 2026 brings together a strong mix of experience and fresh energy, and we're excited about where it can take the club in 2026 and beyond."
