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Looks like the Dogs are keen to chat to Barry Hall...
Bulldogs to speak to Hall
The Age
Jake Niall | July 22, 2009
THE Western Bulldogs have confirmed that they will speak to Barry Hall before season's end in a bid to ascertain whether he is interested in playing football next year.
While the Dogs have been coy about their interest in the key forward, who quit the Swans and football earlier this month, the club said last night that it would speak to Hall later this season, to find out what he intended to do in 2010.
Hall has not ruled out returning to football, having suggested — before his exit from the Swans — that he might be best to find another club next year.
Bulldogs football operations manager James Fantasia said the club would talk to Hall about his plans for next year.
"We'd certainly at some point speak with him and ask about his intentions," Fantasia said of Hall, whom the club showed strong interest in acquiring at the end of last year, when the Swans opted to retain him. "We'll talk to him."
Fantasia said the Dogs would not talk to Hall immediately, because it was a list-management issue that "usually takes place later this year". The club hoped to speak to Hall in about a month.
Hall has not indicated whether he will play football, or pursue other interests, such as a professional boxing career, next year.
While the Bulldogs had previously talked down the prospect of enticing Hall to play for them, it is clear that the club retains strong interest in the key forward, subject to certain conditions.
Bulldog forward Bob Murphy said on radio this week that he would be excited by the prospect of Hall in red, white and blue.
The major factor will be cost — in terms of money and the draft.
The Bulldogs, mindful of Hall's age (32), his record of suspensions and the possibility that he might be able to play for only season, cannot afford to pay him at anything like his last Sydney contract.
The Bulldogs also take the view that they would not wish to give up too much in the draft, given Hall's age.
The club considers that Hall would be attractive in the event that he wishes to play, and can be acquired at the right price.
In the football industry, the Bulldogs are considered the best fit for Hall on the grounds that they are close enough to a premiership to take the punt, and that he addresses their long-standing weakness — the absence of a strong-marking power forward.
That the vast majority of clubs have ruled out recruiting Hall works in the Dogs' favour, given that there would be few, if any, other bidders. He will stay on Sydney's list until the end of the season, when he will either be delisted — and thus available in the draft — or picked up via a trade.
While Hall was on a hefty contract in which most of his wages were guaranteed in Sydney, the Dogs would probably seek to pay him on an incentive-based contract — protecting themselves against the risk of a suspension and injury.
Hall has an association with Bulldogs' coach Rodney Eade, who was Sydney coach when Hall crossed from St Kilda to Sydney at the end of 2001.
Bulldogs to speak to Hall
The Age
Jake Niall | July 22, 2009
THE Western Bulldogs have confirmed that they will speak to Barry Hall before season's end in a bid to ascertain whether he is interested in playing football next year.
While the Dogs have been coy about their interest in the key forward, who quit the Swans and football earlier this month, the club said last night that it would speak to Hall later this season, to find out what he intended to do in 2010.
Hall has not ruled out returning to football, having suggested — before his exit from the Swans — that he might be best to find another club next year.
Bulldogs football operations manager James Fantasia said the club would talk to Hall about his plans for next year.
"We'd certainly at some point speak with him and ask about his intentions," Fantasia said of Hall, whom the club showed strong interest in acquiring at the end of last year, when the Swans opted to retain him. "We'll talk to him."
Fantasia said the Dogs would not talk to Hall immediately, because it was a list-management issue that "usually takes place later this year". The club hoped to speak to Hall in about a month.
Hall has not indicated whether he will play football, or pursue other interests, such as a professional boxing career, next year.
While the Bulldogs had previously talked down the prospect of enticing Hall to play for them, it is clear that the club retains strong interest in the key forward, subject to certain conditions.
Bulldog forward Bob Murphy said on radio this week that he would be excited by the prospect of Hall in red, white and blue.
The major factor will be cost — in terms of money and the draft.
The Bulldogs, mindful of Hall's age (32), his record of suspensions and the possibility that he might be able to play for only season, cannot afford to pay him at anything like his last Sydney contract.
The Bulldogs also take the view that they would not wish to give up too much in the draft, given Hall's age.
The club considers that Hall would be attractive in the event that he wishes to play, and can be acquired at the right price.
In the football industry, the Bulldogs are considered the best fit for Hall on the grounds that they are close enough to a premiership to take the punt, and that he addresses their long-standing weakness — the absence of a strong-marking power forward.
That the vast majority of clubs have ruled out recruiting Hall works in the Dogs' favour, given that there would be few, if any, other bidders. He will stay on Sydney's list until the end of the season, when he will either be delisted — and thus available in the draft — or picked up via a trade.
While Hall was on a hefty contract in which most of his wages were guaranteed in Sydney, the Dogs would probably seek to pay him on an incentive-based contract — protecting themselves against the risk of a suspension and injury.
Hall has an association with Bulldogs' coach Rodney Eade, who was Sydney coach when Hall crossed from St Kilda to Sydney at the end of 2001.
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