Hall speaks (for the last time)

[hammo]

Barry has spoken to the media for the first time since the Grand Final:

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/10/24/1161455721848.html

I have to say I am like Baz... unlikely to ever watch a replay of the Grand Final because it's too painful.

[reigning premier]

Think he pretty much hit the nail on the head......

"There was a lot of guys that didn't play to their best, but the effort was there and that kept us in it. We wanted to win the game, a few things didn't come off for us, a few players didn't play their best and it costs you. You can't play with 10 blokes against a side like West Coast."

Ok... Can we now move on and forget about the whole sordid ordeal?

[giant]

Originally posted by reigning premier
Ok... Can we now move on and forget about the whole sordid ordeal?

Unlikely - he should have done this day one. The media will always win these sorts of battles.

[NMWBloods]

You have to feel sorry for Hall. This is something that will haunt him forever and he'll play what-ifs over and over in his mind for the rest of his life. It's a shame considering how well he has played for us.

However, at the same time, his comment that he believes "he has been unfairly judged on one match of football" is also a little awry - it's not just "one match of football" - it's the grand final. And there is a small ring of truth to "Hall's ability to produce in finals has been questioned in the past two Septembers" as harsh as that is, as his bad finals games have been very bad.

[reigning premier]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
You have to feel sorry for Hall. This is something that will haunt him forever and he'll play what-ifs over and over in his mind for the rest of his life. It's a shame considering how well he has played for us.

However, at the same time, his comment that he believes "he has been unfairly judged on one match of football" is also a little awry - it's not just "one match of football" - it's the grand final. And there is a small ring of truth to "Hall's ability to produce in finals has been questioned in the past two Septembers" as harsh as that is, as his bad finals games have been very bad.

Agree....

But would we even be there if it wasn't for him???

I don't think of us as a one man team, but let's face it, he's a big whole to fill (literally )

[Jeffers1984]

There's only one way he can get rid of these demons and that is to absolutely have a ripping 2007. All this @@@@ will just spur him on to greater heights IMO.

[barry]

The swans have turned into right spoilt brats. They lap up all the gushy fluffy media attention, but as soon as a bit of criticism comes their way that cry like babies.

Hall, our captain, and one of our top players, had a poor grand final. That is fact. Reporting on fact is not an attack.

I wish Sydney would be more media accepting, instead of just burying its head in the sand.

RL embrases the media. It gets some great stuff written about it, and some terrible stuff, but at least its always in the media.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by reigning premier
Agree....

But would we even be there if it wasn't for him???

Yes, that's why I feel sorry for him. But, the ultimate prize in AFL is the premiership and to fail at that final hurdle in professional sports is where the most scrutiny is focussed.

[AnnieH]

"The effort was there. I was trying to change it and it just wasn't my day. I've been in games like that before where I can keep working and it comes good, but it just didn't, and what a day to do it.

"There was a lot of guys that didn't play to their best, but the effort was there and that kept us in it. We wanted to win the game, a few things didn't come off for us, a few players didn't play their best and it costs you. You can't play with 10 blokes against a side like West Coast."

So who were the eight who didn't come to play??
BBBH was certainly one of them.
Jolly.
B1.
Ablett.

[reigning premier]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Yes, that's why I feel sorry for him. But, the ultimate prize in AFL is the premiership and to fail at that final hurdle in professional sports is where the most scrutiny is focussed.

Yep... totally.. no argument...

Great player... who had a @@@@ game... and he needs to face up to it...

[hammo]

Originally posted by reigning premier
Yep... totally.. no argument...

Great player... who had a @@@@ game... and he needs to face up to it...

I didn't think you criticised players

[i'm-uninformed2]

Originally posted by reigning premier
Yep... totally.. no argument...

Great player... who had a @@@@ game... and he needs to face up to it...

Hypocrite

[cressakel]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
You have to feel sorry for Hall. This is something that will haunt him forever and he'll play what-ifs over and over in his mind for the rest of his life. It's a shame considering how well he has played for us.

However, at the same time, his comment that he believes "he has been unfairly judged on one match of football" is also a little awry - it's not just "one match of football" - it's the grand final. And there is a small ring of truth to "Hall's ability to produce in finals has been questioned in the past two Septembers" as harsh as that is, as his bad finals games have been very bad.

When - not if - he hoists the cup above his head next year after kicking seven, who gives a toss !!! Two out of three aint bad, as Meatloaf sang....

There is no "I" in team, regardless if you are the best or worst player a result (even a GF) does not depend on the impact of one player on a game. In my experience of playing and watching Australian Rules, it is actually the players ranked from the bottom 1-7 players that determines the result of a game.

If Hall is playing what-ifs, maybe's and what-not over and over in his mind for the rest of his life, ditto to Ted Richards' kick that went out on the full in the last qtr when there was a two on two contest ahead with free space for the small men to gather and convert, Roberts-Thomson's first qtr on Hansen, Goodesy's first half, Buchanan's sh** the bed that resulted in a Judd goal and many more passages of play that constituted the Swans losing the GF.

Absolutely ridiculous to assume Hall is to blame and, even worse, he hasn't produced in the last two September's. I assume amnesia had set in and the journo in question was not at the GF last year and the finals against West Coast and Fremantle this year.

NB: The only time I have had a feeling that the Swans would win the flag before (and during) a season started was last year (2005) and now next year (2007). Bring it on Bazza, you star.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by cressakel
When - not if - he hoists the cup above his head next year after kicking seven, who gives a toss !!!

'If' not 'when'.

Absolutely ridiculous to assume Hall is to blame

I didn't do that and neither did the journo.

and, even worse, he hasn't produced in the last two September's

Septembers

I assume amnesia had set in and the journo in question was not at the GF last year and the finals against West Coast and Fremantle this year.

The journo talked about the good and the bad games.

[Cosmic Wizard]

Originally posted by reigning premier
Yep... totally.. no argument...

Great player... who had a @@@@ game... and he needs to face up to it...

Yes, and Great players make amends for crap games by becoming so much better.

He will remember next year when we are in the GF, and play a ripper, as well many other players who just didn't hit form.