WESTERN Bulldogs great Tony Liberatore has no doubt his son Tom can return "bigger and better" than ever after season-ending knee surgery.

Tom Liberatore will have a traditional knee reconstruction this week after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Saturday's NAB Challenge win over Richmond.

Tony Liberatore had two knee reconstructions during his 283-game career and famously returned from his second ACL injury in 1998 after just 18 weeks.

But any thought of Tom – who has played 77 games in five seasons at the Bulldogs – coming back in that same timeframe can be quickly tossed aside, according to his father.

"You've just got to do the rehab properly," Liberatore Snr told AFL.com.au.

"You've really got to be diligent in everything you do and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't do that.

"Knowing Tom he'll do that to the best of his ability, there's no doubt about that."

Respected knee surgeon David Young will perform the knee surgery on the Bulldogs' youngster. Young also did both of Tony's knee operations.

Tony Liberatore believes his son will learn a lot about himself in his year out of the game.

"He'll really appreciate the game and he certainly won't take things for granted that's for sure," Liberatore said.

"He's in good spirits. He's a very positive guy so he'll be right."

Tom Liberatore, the Bulldogs' 2014 best and fairest winner, will be a massive loss for a young midfield still coming to terms with losing its former captain Ryan Griffen, who departed for Greater Western Sydney in the off-season.

The Bulldogs will miss Liberatore's hardness around the contest, exemplified by the fact he led the competition in clearances and tackles last season.

Tony believes Tom will attack his rehabilitation with vigour and work to get himself back into the position of being one of the League's premier midfielders.

"He's very passionate about the game. I know he's quite reserved in everything he does. Not everyone likes doing media and not everyone wants the scrutiny that goes along with playing AFL footy, but he understands what he has to do and he'll do it really well," Liberatore said.

"And he'll come back bigger and better than ever."

Liberatore Snr said medical practices had improved markedly since his playing days. Even still, he is content with the fact the Bulldogs will not rush his son's comeback.

"They're (modern clubs) a lot more well versed now in how rehab's run, that's for sure," Liberatore said.

"There's not going to be a lot of advice that I give that he (Tom) doesn't already know.

"He'll be well and truly educated by the support staff."