There are genuine fears — once again — for the playing future of much-loved Western Bulldogs veteran Tom Liberatore.

The 33-year-old has a long history with concussion injuries and was again ruled out of Friday night’s clash when Patrick Dangerfield accidentally clipped the head of the Bulldogs midfielder with his thigh.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tom Liberatore ruled out with concussion

The incident happened before half-time and Liberatore was immediately assessed and took no further part in the game.

In 2024 there were also fears that Liberatore would be medically retired when he collapsed in seemingly bizarre circumstances in a game against Essendon and then, three weeks later in Round 8, was concussed against Hawthorn.

The year before that Liberatore entered the AFL’s concussion protocols on two occasions following an incident in Round 7 and another one in Round 22, making it four concussion issues within 12 months.

The AFL then stepped in but Liberatore was cleared by neuro experts to continue his career.

Now, it seems inevitable that the AFL chief medical officer will again refer Liberatore to the league’s concussion panel.

AFL expert Kane Cornes said Libertore would have to assess whether it’s “worth the risk” to continue playing.

“He’s faced the (concussion) tribunal hearing (before) to get cleared to play after previous incidents,” Cornes said on the AFL website.

“He’s now 33 years of age, and it’s another concussion. We’ve seen some alarming footage of Tom over the journey, disorientated after having being knocked and falling to the ground with no one around him.

“You don’t want to speculate on these types of things, but they will methodically assess him. I’m assuming it’ll take weeks, if not months, before he returns to the field, if he does at all, because he’s got a lot of life left to live after football.

“And we know there’s other players that that decision has been taken out of their hands, or they’ve made the decision for their long-term health.

“At 33 he’s had an unbelievable career ... (and now) he’ll have to weigh up whether it’s worth the risk to get out there again.”

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge described the game against Geelong as a “traumatic” night with the club also facing a nervous wait to learn the full extent of star forward Sam Darcy’s knee injury.

Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell (both hamstring) were also hurt in the horror outing and superstar Marcus Bontempelli had his knee iced up after the game.

Gun 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire said there was a real concern for Liberatore due to his history with concussions.

“He’s had multiple concussions over the last 24 months and earlier in his career as well,” McGuire said.

“So obviously, he’ll go straight into the 12-day protocols that we all know very well, but for Tom liberatore, given how many concussions he’s had, and especially recently, this could be a bit more serious at the backend of his career, when he’s had so many head knocks.”

The AFL’s Nat Edwards said “this is a real concern for me, given Tom Liberatore’s history with concussion.”

- With AAP