Bulldogs legend Tony Liberatore has blasted Gerard Whateleyโs comments about his former club, saying they were "totally out of line".
The 1990 Brownlow medallist called into SEN Breakfast to respond toย Whateley's criticism of the team after their elimination final loss to St Kilda, alleging they aren't much more beyond a quality midfield.
Whateley declared Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge doesn't have the personnel to go deep into finals and that they are "long away from it".
"Iโm going to borrow a phrase from someone I talk to, I think Luke Beveridge does a phenomenal job with what heโs got but I think heโs building a 1000-piece jigsaw (puzzle) with 920 pieces and convincing people that heโs got it under control because heโs such a good tactical and game day coach,โ Whateley said on SEN on Monday.
โThe fact that they canโt vaguely challenge for the top four and now they canโt win elimination finals, I actually think that tells you everything you need to know and I reckon theyโre a long way from it.
โTheyโre all midfield, I think theyโve got one of the great midfields and nothing else. Beveridge does all his work moving players to compensate for it and the most important result is the way he used Hayden Crozier (in the elimination final).
โHeโs brilliant with the way he manipulates what he doesnโt have.โ
Liberatore called in to SEN on Tuesday, with his son Tom, a current Bulldogs star, apart of the team attacked by Whateley.
โI just think weโre one or two players short,โ Liberatore said.
โIs Aaron Naughton nothing? Is Tim English nothing? Give me Naughton any day over Tom Hawkins, right here, right now.
โHeโs just come off from a broken cheekbone and he had a really good last quarter where he took three big pack marks and nearly won the game for us.
โTom Hawkins kicked five behinds and was beaten by a player (Trent McKenzie) who was let go from Gold Coast and has done an amazing job from Port Adelaide.
โI just think your comments are flawed, I believe strongly in this and never rang up and mentioned this โ I think weโre doing a good job and weโre just a couple of players short.
โHow hard you went on us yesterday from my understanding from a friend of mine, is totally out of line.โ
That's a wrap from the Southern Cross Hotel - Tony Liberatore becoming @FootscrayFC1990's 8th #Brownlow Medallist in its 66th @VFL / @AFL season, in 1 of the most inspiring wins.
Though every player may actually look down on Libba, the whole footy world looks up to him tonight. pic.twitter.com/gQDZTFqn8t
— Footscray FC 1990 (@FootscrayFC1990) September 24, 2020