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Barry Hall has received an overwhelmingly symphatetic response from the public following his misconduct report on Saturday. But few of us expected that sympathy to extend to the Match Review Panel who raised more than a few eyebrows when they determined his sanction on Monday night.
Hall’s actions have been widely discussed, especially in light of the provocation from North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson which triggered his reaction.
It’s hard to find a context where a twenty-second iron-clamp headlock can be justified, but Hall has found his symphathizers.
We all know Hall’s baggage after several infamous incidents of him boiling over at former club Sydney, which ultimately led to his axing from the NSW outfit midway through last season.
It’s obvious in the heat of the moment he has had issues managing his anger, but his public displays of remorse following those incidents has often endeared him to the footy public.
But one too many brain-snaps meant the Swans couldn’t afford him any more chances last season and he was cut loose.
Since then – in a big off-season trade – Hall joined the premiership-hunting Western Bulldogs.
Every AFL fan has had a curious eye on the bigman’s plight since heading to Footscray and his blistering NAB Cup form – with a best on ground performance in the Dogs’ Grand Final victory – had many believing he had put his troubles behind him as he was “enjoying his footy again”.
In many ways, Hall’s return this season has been a feel-good story with 25 goals to his name before Saturday’s game.
But it’s been a story which some may have sensed would inevitably take a twist at some point along the line.
That twist was to occur on Saturday, with Hall harrassed by Thompson for fourty minutes before he was tipped over the edge (almost literally) and snapped.
The big full-forward proceeded to take the law into his own hands in quite ugly fashion but many onlookers understood his anger – unlike some of his brain snaps of the past – which is an important point.
Dogs coach Rodney Eade asked afterwards, “What are you supposed to do – cop it?”
Nevertheless, despite the general public’s feeling of sympathy for Hall, the consensus probably expected the big man to cop a suspension, especially given the ferocity of his reaction along with his history and carry-over points.
As well provocation, in the past, has been no excuse for commiting a crime.
But on Monday night, the Match Review Panel differed from the norm.
They decided: “The Match Review Panel took into account the medical report on player Thompson and the relevant footage in determining a charge of rough conduct was not appropriate in the circumstances of this case.”
Basically, it meant Hall could accept a $3000 fine with an early plea and is free to face the Bombers next Friday.
The punishment was formalised on the panel’s decision to downgrade the charge from ‘rough play’ to ‘misconduct’. They did so, as the above quote indicates, by taking into account subjective material such as the medical report on Thompson and the relevant footage. That’s rather unusual.
Indeed in making such a subjective call it seems the MRP displayed an element of sympathy to Hall, which has been present in the sentiments of many footy fans. The MRP’s offering of sympathy certainly came as a surprise.
Why they decided on that I’m not sure, but there’s no doubt Hall’s a lucky boy to get away with this one.
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