BROWNLOW medallist Tony Liberatore believes the hype around tall midfielders is a "fallacy" and is tipping diminutive Bulldog Caleb Daniel to have a long and successful AFL career. 

Liberatore has taken a keen interest in the 168cm South Australian since Daniel arrived at Whitten Oval last November and has been impressed with the smallest player to grace the AFL since 2002. 

"Last year (Bulldogs recruiter) Simon Dalrymple mentioned to me that the club had picked up a player my height and I thought that was fantastic," said 163cm Liberatore.

"He's made a big impact so far and I'm really impressed with how he takes the game on and his ball use is good.

"He's got a few tricks up his sleeve, so there's certainly a role for him."

And while he acknowledges the impact taller midfielders like Nat Fyfe, Scott Pendlebury and young Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli have had on the game; Liberatore says if you're good enough, you're tall enough.

"I think all this talk of tall midfielders is a fallacy," said Liberatore, who triumphed in the Brownlow count in 1990.

"Just because you have a tall outstanding midfielder like Nat Fyfe, doesn’t mean every player has to be like that.

"Talking to Caleb he comes across as someone who believes height isn't a problem and he'll use it to his advantage.

"I'm a big advocate for the little blokes." 

While there were many raised eyebrows when the Dogs selected the helmeted 19-year-old with pick No.46 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, Daniel is very appreciative of the support he's received from the man who defied the knockers and won the 1990 Brownlow Medal.

"Tony and I had a chat earlier in the year and I've always got access to him and he's very approachable and very easy to speak to," said Daniel.

"I knew that he was a prolific ball winner and then became a tagger, but he was a massive team player and it's something he's held in high regard for at the club."

Daniel joins Luke Dahlhaus, Mitch Honeychurch and Nathan Hrovat as players on the Dogs' list 180cm or smaller and sees no reason why they all can't play in the same side.

"Luke, Mitch and Nathan are some of the more energetic blokes around the club and their work rate is outstanding," said Daniel. 

"We all love playing in the midfield, so hopefully we can all flourish and work together in the team."

Tony Liberatore in his final game in 2002. His son and current Bulldog Tom is on the right.