Sydney spearhead Barry Hall limbered up for the 2009 AFL season with an imposing performance in his side’s 27-point practice match win over the Western Bulldogs at Bruce Purser Reserve.

Hall booted four goals, handed off two others and bungled another major trying to be unselfish in the 16.12 (108) to 12.9 (81) victory at the north-western Sydney venue.

The 32-year-old, on the last year of his contract before a potential move to boxing, moved well and looked good in his second pre-season match of the year.

Hall finished off last season in strong fashion, earning the club’s player of the 2008 finals as Sydney were bounced out of the post-season by the ‘Dogs.

Both sides played close to full strength outfits in the balmy conditions in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,500 at the brand new ground at Rouse Hill.

Livewire Josh Hill led the Bulldogs’ scoring with three majors.

The Swans had grabbed a seven-goal buffer by halftime after Hall kicked three majors in the second term.

The ‘Dogs slashed the margin to two goals late in the final term before fringe player Jesse White iced the contest by soccering a goal in the 21st minute.

Sydney open their season proper against St Kilda at Telstra Dome on March 28 and the Bulldogs clash with Fremantle at Subiaco Oval the following day.

Swans coach Paul Roos felt that former skipper Hall had led the way for his teammates.

“His first half probably showed the way he plays his best footy, the team stuff first and then the goals start to come after that,” Roos said.

“He set the tone for the whole team with his tackling and the way he got himself going (early on).

“It was obviously impressive from him.”

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade was happy with the respective performances of reigning Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney and Robert Murphy.

But he was less kind on Hill.

“He was really disappointing first half, that was as bad as I have seen him first half,” Eade said.

“His second half was a lot better, he almost played himself out of round one but he might have played himself back into contention.”

© AAP 2012

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