Hall is the Bulldogs' go-to man

[Rocket Science]

Hall is the Bulldogs' go-to man

THE Western Bulldogs have unofficially approached controversial Sydney spearhead Barry Hall as their search for a big key forward intensifies in the lead-up to next month's trade week.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is believed to have communicated his interest to the 31-year-old, who is contracted to the Swans until the end of next year but is pushing for a one-year contract extension he is unlikely to receive until the 2009 season is underway.

While Hall finished 2008 in good form and injury-free, he became disenchanted with his club for a significant period after it suspended him for two weeks in July after he struck Collingwood's Shane Wakelin.

That incident took place in Hall's third game back from a seven-match suspension for knocking out West Coast's Brent Staker in round four.

The Swans said Hall's personal problems had caused him such emotional distress that he had become a potential liability on the field.

While the Swans have not completely ruled out a trade, the stumbling block for the Bulldogs, who would have to offer Hall a two-year contract to secure him, is his pay packet, estimated at about $500,000 for season 2009.

Against that is Sydney's unwillingness to extend Hall's contract until he has proved his body will stand up to another pre-season and beyond.

The Bulldogs refused to comment yesterday but it is believed that Eade spoke on the telephone with Hall last weekend.

Sydney football boss Andrew Ireland told The Age the club had received no approach from the Bulldogs and refused to comment further.

But the Bulldogs' search for a key forward, Hall's situation at Sydney and Kangaroo Nathan Thompson's forced retirement have provided the ingredients for one of the more intriguing scenarios of trade week.

Hall told The Age after the Swans' finals campaign finished: "Recently, we (Hall and his manager) approached the club about my longer-term future, beyond this contract, but we haven't heard back yet.

"I guess I'll hear back in the coming weeks, but I understand the club's point of view, and they might want to sit and wait and see how my form and everything is going before doing anything.

"Besides the actual incidents and the games I missed, I thought my form this year has been pretty good.

"I still think I've got a lot to offer as far as footy goes, but if my form drops off, I'll be the first to put my hand up and concede I might be past it."

The Bulldogs' loss to Geelong in the first preliminary final last Friday night again underlined the club's glaring vacancy in the forward line.

Eade and his match committee will also approach Thompson, who was delisted by North Melbourne last week after contract talks were placed on hold.

Although Thompson, 30, has stated he will retire, the Bulldogs believe he could be persuaded to continue his AFL career at a third club.

====================================

Looks like Caro's an avid forum lurker...

I've got enough reservations about the chase for Hall, but sincerely hope she's off the mark as regards Thompson.

[LostDoggy]

I think you are right rocket science, a lot of forums being read by "journalists" at this time of the year.

Rumours & innuendo going crazy, a journalist that has written that we are interested in Thompson, despite the fact that a day or so earlier Leon Cameron came out and dismissed the short term fix with regards to Thompson.

With regards to Hall, the Herald Sun painted a different picture on the whole situation this morning. ie that Rocket was surprised when Hall was mentioned,a nd that we hadnt considered him due to beign under contract.

Would be interesting to see who is reporting the correct facts (if at all)

[bornadog]

Personally, I am sick of taking ageing footballers, or second rate talls. I prefer not to take Hall or Thompson, full stop.

[bulldogtragic]

I would be very unhappy with Thomson.

Hall for cheap, for two years i could live with.

Thorpe appears the best of the rest. But Hawks would want too much.

[Topdog]

Personally, I am sick of taking ageing footballers, or second rate talls. I prefer not to take Hall or Thompson, full stop.

So you would have preferred us to be in the bottom 4 this year?

[LostDoggy]

How did Beau Dowler from Hawthorn go in the vfl this year and also, how many goals did Mitch Thorp kick?

[bornadog]

So you would have preferred us to be in the bottom 4 this year?

Not sure what you mean? We never had any 32 year old ex full forwards in the team this year.

[Go_Dogs]

Not sure what you mean? We never had any 32 year old ex full forwards in the team this year.

I think he was referring to the recruitment of Welsh, Akermanis and Hudson. None of which are recycled tall forwards, but the point is the same. Sometimes top up players can come in and fill a required role.

I for one am not interested at all in chasing Barry Hall.

[LostDoggy]

hall is not the answer............he is overrated and a total wanker and should quit footy and go to boxing, we dont want some so called play 1 good game then give away 100 free kicks wanker like hall, at 32 he is too old anyway, if we dont want thompson (which i dont want him either) we definitely shouldnt go for hall.................

[Scraggers]

Dennis Cometti said on Perth radio tonight that the Freo Dockers have been in serious conversations with Barry Hall, but he thinks the only thing that will come of it is an extension to his existing contract with Sydney

[bornadog]

Fantasia confirmed that Hall won't be pursued.

[bulldogtragic]

Fantasia confirmed that Hall won't be pursued.

When and where did you see that bd?