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Big Barry's lament: bad on the run
By Jessica Halloran
May 7, 2004
Sydney's Barry Hall kicks at goal.
His problem, Barry Hall says, is kicking goals on the run.
While his set shots at goal have been fine, the big Sydney forward believes he can become more of a weapon if he perfects his ability to shrug off opponents while on the move and slot through majors.
Despite admitting he can improve, Hall's goal statistics remain impressive; this season, he has kicked 20.12, sixth on the AFL goalkicker's table behind St Kilda's Fraser Gehrig on 27.
Hall, however, believes he can be more accurate. "I've been struggling for kicking for goal for a few weeks now," he said. "I've kicked four and four over the last couple of weeks, which should have been maybe six on the weekend, and six the week before, particularly on the run. I don't usually practise them on the run, because I don't get many opportunities to do that.
"My set shot is OK, but particularly on the run is just way off the mark. It's a pretty big focus for me this week."
The Swans' forward coach, John Longmire, maintains that Hall's consistency has been excellent. "As long as he's playing a consistent four quarters of footy and keeps improving, we are happy," Longmire said.
Fellow star forward Michael O'Loughlin is likely to return from injury against Richmond on Sunday if he gets through training today. Hall said Ryan O'Keefe had filled in ably for the Swans' star, but he was still looking forward to O'Loughlin's return.
"Ryan O'Keefe has done a great job for us," Hall said. "I suppose we have just sort of been plugging holes, we've been missing one key-position player, which is obviously Mick. Being a left-footer, I know where he is going, it's probably just an understanding we have."
With a 10-point loss to Essendon following a 12-point loss to Melbourne, Hall said the team needed to lift against Richmond at the SCG this Sunday if it was to win.
"We know we are not playing as well as we can... hopefully we can rectify that pretty quick."
By Jessica Halloran
May 7, 2004
Sydney's Barry Hall kicks at goal.
His problem, Barry Hall says, is kicking goals on the run.
While his set shots at goal have been fine, the big Sydney forward believes he can become more of a weapon if he perfects his ability to shrug off opponents while on the move and slot through majors.
Despite admitting he can improve, Hall's goal statistics remain impressive; this season, he has kicked 20.12, sixth on the AFL goalkicker's table behind St Kilda's Fraser Gehrig on 27.
Hall, however, believes he can be more accurate. "I've been struggling for kicking for goal for a few weeks now," he said. "I've kicked four and four over the last couple of weeks, which should have been maybe six on the weekend, and six the week before, particularly on the run. I don't usually practise them on the run, because I don't get many opportunities to do that.
"My set shot is OK, but particularly on the run is just way off the mark. It's a pretty big focus for me this week."
The Swans' forward coach, John Longmire, maintains that Hall's consistency has been excellent. "As long as he's playing a consistent four quarters of footy and keeps improving, we are happy," Longmire said.
Fellow star forward Michael O'Loughlin is likely to return from injury against Richmond on Sunday if he gets through training today. Hall said Ryan O'Keefe had filled in ably for the Swans' star, but he was still looking forward to O'Loughlin's return.
"Ryan O'Keefe has done a great job for us," Hall said. "I suppose we have just sort of been plugging holes, we've been missing one key-position player, which is obviously Mick. Being a left-footer, I know where he is going, it's probably just an understanding we have."
With a 10-point loss to Essendon following a 12-point loss to Melbourne, Hall said the team needed to lift against Richmond at the SCG this Sunday if it was to win.
"We know we are not playing as well as we can... hopefully we can rectify that pretty quick."
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