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Barry Hall displays perfect timing
IF BARRY Hall truly wants to extend his playing career, he couldn't have picked a better time to walk away from the Swans.
Parting company with Sydney was his only option, because his position at the Swans was totally untenable.
His coach didn’t want him, and the club’s heart and soul - midfielder Brett Kirk - didn’t want him.
When Kirky says he can’t trust you, your papers at Sydney are well and truly stamped.
But as much as Hall’s aggression problems are an immense obstacle for any potential suitors, his last game as a Swan was exceptional from a football perspective.
In his 250th game, he moved as well as at any time in the past three years and kicked four telling goals.
Premiership captains of Hall’s quality – and going for cheap – just don’t come onto the market very often, even considering his age.
If the 32-year-old had played out this season and struggled, his value as a prospective recruit would have been trampled in the dust.
As it is, rival clubs will have his most recent game in their minds when they come to consider whether he is a viable target.
The problem is that last game also saw the Ben Rutten incident, and that total lack of control over his aggression might prove an insurmountable hurdle.
Would you want Barry Hall at your team? Have your say at the SuperFooty Forum.
The Bulldogs were keen on Hall last year, but never really got close to recruiting him with Sydney looking at other trades that never eventuated.
Make no mistake, they will scrutinise him heavily again.
But a decision on Hall will heavily depend on how their forward line stands up in the finals.
It is ticking over beautifully right now, good enough even for them to have the luxury of playing Robert Murphy into form in defence.
If it founders again in September, as it did at times last year, then Hall will be priority No.1.
They have young talls in Jordan Roughead, Ayce Cordy and Jarrad Grant, but they are still 18 months away from playing regular AFL.
If the Dogs stumble in the finals, and Hall can prove he can keep his anger in check, then don’t be surprised if Hall becomes yet another successful 30-plus recruit at Whitten Oval.
IF BARRY Hall truly wants to extend his playing career, he couldn't have picked a better time to walk away from the Swans.
Parting company with Sydney was his only option, because his position at the Swans was totally untenable.
His coach didn’t want him, and the club’s heart and soul - midfielder Brett Kirk - didn’t want him.
When Kirky says he can’t trust you, your papers at Sydney are well and truly stamped.
But as much as Hall’s aggression problems are an immense obstacle for any potential suitors, his last game as a Swan was exceptional from a football perspective.
In his 250th game, he moved as well as at any time in the past three years and kicked four telling goals.
Premiership captains of Hall’s quality – and going for cheap – just don’t come onto the market very often, even considering his age.
If the 32-year-old had played out this season and struggled, his value as a prospective recruit would have been trampled in the dust.
As it is, rival clubs will have his most recent game in their minds when they come to consider whether he is a viable target.
The problem is that last game also saw the Ben Rutten incident, and that total lack of control over his aggression might prove an insurmountable hurdle.
Would you want Barry Hall at your team? Have your say at the SuperFooty Forum.
The Bulldogs were keen on Hall last year, but never really got close to recruiting him with Sydney looking at other trades that never eventuated.
Make no mistake, they will scrutinise him heavily again.
But a decision on Hall will heavily depend on how their forward line stands up in the finals.
It is ticking over beautifully right now, good enough even for them to have the luxury of playing Robert Murphy into form in defence.
If it founders again in September, as it did at times last year, then Hall will be priority No.1.
They have young talls in Jordan Roughead, Ayce Cordy and Jarrad Grant, but they are still 18 months away from playing regular AFL.
If the Dogs stumble in the finals, and Hall can prove he can keep his anger in check, then don’t be surprised if Hall becomes yet another successful 30-plus recruit at Whitten Oval.
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