Hall quits Swans
By The Roar, 7 Jul 2009 The Roar is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- AFL, Barry Hall, Sydney Swans
Swans captain Barry Hall is interviewed during a Sydney Swans media opportunity at the Sydney Cricket Ground September 27, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. Slattery Images
Sydney Swans forward Barry Hall today announced he is quitting the Swans AFL club, effective immediately. Hall says he is uncertain what his next step will be and will take some time out to consider his options.
He says the decision to leave the Swans, who he captained to a premiership in 2005, was hard, but the best move for all involved.
“The decision I have made is not just about me. It is about this football club, my team-mates, my family, my partner and my close friends.” Hall said.
“Ultimately they have suffered grief over some of my wrongdoings and I have to take them into consideration.
“I think the easiest thing to do is to tell myself I am playing good football and don’t want to desert my teammates, but the issue is a lot bigger than that.
“So over the last few days I have stepped back and tried to look at it as an outsider and control what I can control, which has led me to this decision.
“I am forever indebted to this footy club. I have no doubt I wouldn’t even be playing the game if it wasn’t for the club and despite what has happened, I still think I am walking away from the club a better person than when I walked in.”
“… The next step for me is unclear, but in time, I will work through it.”
Hall has previously speculated about either trying to continue his AFL career with another club or possibly take up professional boxing.
Hall’s decision came after a series of on-field misdemeanours prompted senior club figures, including coach Paul Roos and co-captain Brett Kirk, to question his desire to continue playing.
The latest was a punch to the face of Adelaide defender Ben Rutten, in Hall’s last game in round 13, for which he was handed a two-game suspension.
Last year Hall served a seven-match ban for striking West Coast utility Brent Staker and also underwent anger management counselling during a club-imposed ban.
The week he returned from that suspension Hall received a one-game suspension for attempting to strike Collingwood opponent Shane Wakelin.
The Swans also handed him a one-week club suspension for the Wakelin incident.
Hall co-captained the Swans to their historic 2005 premiership but he had to win a tribunal case to play in the grand final.
The Rutten incident was the 15th charge of Hall’s career, which has so far featured 24 games lost through suspension.
Last year was the seventh-straight season he topped Sydney’s goalkicking.
The Adelaide game, which will now be his final in Swans colours, was celebrating his 250th senior game as an AFL player.
That includes 88 matches with St Kilda from 1995 to 2001 before he joined the Swans in 2002.
Roos said the occasion should be used to celebrate the contribution Hall made to the club.
“It is definitely a sad day for the Sydney Swans Football Club; one of our greatest ever players has decided to retire, but I also think it must be a time of celebration, to reflect on what has been an outstanding career,” Roos said.
“As his coach for the last six years I will remember Hally as one of the genuine superstars of the game. His ability to be a match winner enabled him to take us to the level of the 2005 premiership.
“His consistent performance over those six years has allowed him to be not only a premiership captain, but a club best and fairest, an All-Australian, a life member and a multiple leading goalkicker at this footy club.”
Roos said the Swans also knew Hall as a “likeable and easygoing character” off the field, which most people did not get to see.
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Adrian Musolino said | July 7th 2009 @ 3:17pm | Report comment
Would you take on Barry Hall if you were one of the other AFL clubs? If he decides he wants to continue his AFL career, it will be fascinating to see how they respond.
Redb said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
I reckon Hall may have a chance at another club. Like Cousins he wont be in a position to demand big bucks but any club that takes the risk will get a quality full forward for little money. Worth the risk, maybe?
I’m a bit surprised he still has the fire in the belly to play football when a potential boxing career beckons but he’s loves the game and obviously wants to slot a few more through the big sticks.
Hall in a team like the Western Bulldogs with a few tough nuts to take some of the heat may well suit the bussler. Most of the Swans team-mates let Bazza fend for himself and let him get too steamed.
Still, if he can’t control his aggression it will be all in vane.
Redb
p.s.Pity Western Sydney are ready to recruit – what a story that would make!
LK said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
I’m a bit surprised he quit. He is still playing good footy, bags of 4 and 6 goals this year. I’m not sure going back into the fishbowl of an AFL crazy town would suit him. As a swans fan I’m not sure how I would feel about him playing against us.
MVDave said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
Redb
Any chance Hall to the Bombers? Would he be a good move to bring strength and experience to a young side?
Redb said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
no chance. Lloyd has one more year at least we dont need two lead up forwards.
Neagle is next cab off the rank – watch this kid in coming years. Gee I love the Father-Son rule.
Redb
Forgetmenot said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Halls career is over.
I hope for footballs sake that he doesnt move into boxing. I think a good career could be made in writing a book (with help of course).
Bruce Walkley said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
As I predicted yesterday, well in advance of his announcement today, Hall will be at the Bulldogs next season.
Worlds Biggest said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
If Ben Cousins can get a start then Barry Hall wont have a problem finding a new home if he still wants to play. Boxing appears to be a real option for him so fascinating to see if / when that will happen. End of an era for the Swans with O’Loughlin and now Hall retiring, there will be others to follow this year and next.
Redb said | July 7th 2009 @ 4:59pm | Report comment
WB,
Good point about Hall and O’loughlin, the Swans will be in trade mode with plenty of room in the salary cap.
As is the Swans past history they need a bad boy forward looking for redemption – Brendan Fevola. My Fevola!
Redb
David V. said | July 7th 2009 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
Hall was at his best during the 2003-06 “glory days” in which the Swans were up there more or less, and Hall seemed like a changed man. He really lost focus in the last year or so, reflecting our decline in general. Not that we didn’t expect it- we just haven’t turned over the team quickly enough since the Premiership win.