Barry Hall getting off is bad for footy

Reading the comments written by Slattery Images I would expect that he or she would have a little bit more background knowledge on what they are talking about. Question: 1 Where were you at the game. Questiion 2: Did you see all the the events that happened before the incident ?. Question 3: Where you at the boundary line when Barry Hall was coming off & the three guys were having a cheap shot at him Question 4: When Barry was doing up his shoe laces were you there.. did you feel the frustration I felt as a supporter of the MIGHTY WESTERN BULLDOGS. No you were not. Your comments are out of line get a life.

like i have said 3 times previous without my comment being added, Barry should have knocked the pathetic grub out.

In what world is a $4K fine not a penalty. And why this fixation by Sheehan and others on the 15 second duration, does a headlock suddenly change from mild misdemeanour to heinous felony at the 12 second mark or something?

Pushing someone over when they are doing up their bootlaces is pretty cowardly

I agree with you Michael. The AFL have a spot soft for Hall. I think he got 7 weeks for punching Staker which makes you wonder how on earth Stokes & Johnson receive similar penalties for what 14 other players are doing anyway. Hall could have hurt Thompson which was the only justification for the myraid of players who have been suspended for head high bumps. So if the head is off limits for laying a bump, part of the game forever how is a choking headlock allowable? Finally if Thompson has to be man enough to accept a headlock how can Hall not deal with a slight nudge whilst tying his shoelaces. P

As an NRL fan who only saw the incident on the news, I thought it was pretty poor form that he was not suspended - it looked pretty terrible, especially considering how long it went on for. Most people north of the Murray have heard of Barry Hall, but not because of his AFL skills, but his temper and foul play. The incident would have attracted at least a four week suspension in League or Union, no matter how serious the initial provocation.

Michael C as you are a kangaroos supporter i think this article is full of bias and you just can't handle the fact that your team got outplayed and all you have to show for it is that one of your defenders now has egg in his face for the cowardice shown on the field.

"My how people have grown to desire a sanitised game" yet you're the one claiming Hall should have been punished more severely. What Hall did looked bad but only because the north melbourne players dragged him along the ground so far. And any damage it may have inflicted would be on the shoulders of those other north players. By dragging hall the dragged their own player by the neck. They should have intervened some other way or not at all I think.

I daresay Thompson was just doing what his coach told him to do. The message that this sort of thing is un- acceptable, un-professional and ILLEGAL has to be given to the coaches.

There was an article in the Herald Sun today about Scott Thompson and it discussed his reaction to the criticism he's received in regards to the tactics he employs against forwards. I have to say I was really impressed by his mature outlook on all of this. He was apologetic for pushing over Hall and for elbowing in the back, and claims he wants to remove the niggling tactics from his game. I thought he was really sincere and honest about wanting to become a respected defender and not be known as a dirty player. I'm a bulldogs supporter and can honestly say I hope he succeeds in the AFL because he does appear to be a fine upstanding young person. Let's not forget he has only played 37 games. He still has a lot of maturing to do. If he models himself on Glenn Archer who is his idol then there is no greater defender than that man, he was hard at the ball but a true champion. I for one wish you good luck Thompson.

If you look at the footage of the headlock you can clearly see that Hall's arm is coming across Thompsons ear and therefore jaw, it was by no means around his throat. I've been watching mixed martial arts for 6 years and there is no way that type of move could put someone to sleep. As soon as Barry let go, Thompson was on his feet and going at Hall again. Not exactly the reaction of someone on the verge of losing consciousness. I think the response of the general public supporting Hall has been overwhelming. A majority of football fans already know what Scott Thompson is like as he has a history of doing this to many other opponents like Jonathon Brown, Cameron Mooney. So the only one assassinating his credibitly is Thompson himself.

Thompson's behaviour was totally unnecessary and should have resulted in a free kick to Hall in my view. I think it's time the AFL cracked down on pests like Thompson and protected the forwards better. I agree Hall was in the wrong despite the provocation; but I think the punishment metered out was appropriate in the circumstances.

Thompson falling on his sword: "Thompson, 24, has vowed to maintain his onfield aggression, but conceded he needed to focus more on the ball instead of a physical battle with his opponent." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/north-melbournes-scott-thompson-vows-to-cut-niggle-after-barry-hall-clash/story-e6frf9jf-1225871306791 Bazza's form of education. :-)

Its a headlock, toughen up.

Can`t believe Thompson was not penalised. He pushed it way too far. Barry was pretty controlled I thought - wan`t a choke, was a controlled headlock. Thompson deserved it.

Let it go. Thompson started it, if Hall goes too far this Friday he'll be out.