Tribunal defence for Bazza

[Xie Shan]

Love your work guys! You're all brilliant.

Of course there's no real defence for what Hall did and he knows it. He'll probably take an early plea and end up getting 6 weeks or something like that. An apology is a given -- I also wouldn't be running those 'Barry Hall Hall' ads for a while. Not exactly the best guy to be the face of the code in Sydney atm methinks. I liked Liz's suggestion (in the other thread) about getting him to do a few Auskick clinics. I am sure he will be contrite enough to do that.

Would have been ironic if he had injured the same hand he threw the punch with, though! Did someone say karma (just kidding )

[NMWBloods]

I sincerely hope it doesn't regardless of whether there was anything or not. Whatever Staker could possibly have said or done (if anything) nothing excuses Barry's actions.

I was thinking more broadly in terms of anything else that may be affecting Hall's behaviour, not just Staker's actions (but those as well).

He's going to have his work cut out to re-win any respect from the football world but the first small step has to be an unreserved apology this afternoon.

Agreed on both counts.

But as I said earlier, it may scare some defenders. Darcy commented that every now and again Lockett would keep defenders in line!

[woo]

you know if we were talking rugby league this wouldn't warrent a thread and prob no suspension would take place...

it was a great hit....shouldn't have happened no doubt, but I am queuing up now for bazzas first boxing match..should be a cracker.

[Xie Shan]

you know if we were talking rugby league this wouldn't warrent a thread and prob no suspension would take place...

it was a great hit....shouldn't have happened no doubt, but I am queuing up now for bazzas first boxing match..should be a cracker.

I think it'd still be a suspension in rugby league, after all he did throw a punch that knocked out the guy, but thank you for putting it in perspective! The fans around me actually cheered the hit when it was shown on the big screen (I didn't), but yeah, that sort of thing definitely shouldn't happen on the footy field, I can't believe he actually did it!

[Big Al]

you know if we were talking rugby league this wouldn't warrent a thread and prob no suspension would take place...

it was a great hit....shouldn't have happened no doubt, but I am queuing up now for bazzas first boxing match..should be a cracker.

Wrong I'm afraid.

A Canberra player was suspended for 6 weeks for a punch last week. A Melbourne Storm player got 5 weeks for a similar punch 2 weeks ago. There were also a couple suspensions last year as well for punching.

[ScottH]

It was "In play" wasn't it?

[Big Al]

It was "In play" wasn't it?

Downgrade from 9 weeks to 8 weeks then. Good pick up Scott

[liz]

In play / behind play no longer makes any difference. They got rid of the extra activation point you used to get for "behind play".

[ScottH]

In play / behind play no longer makes any difference. They got rid of the extra activation point you used to get for "behind play".

I know. They did that after Hall's last appearance, didn't they.

[Big Al]

In play / behind play no longer makes any difference. They got rid of the extra activation point you used to get for "behind play".

Yes I know...... Scott and I were just having a bit of fun.

[CJK]

Can we use all the publicity we're generating to offset against time served?

[top40]

1. Hall has shown contrition and demonstated public humilation
2. It was one punch. (It wasn't that Hall went crazy beyond a single second, constantly punching Staker)
3. Staker was Hall direct opponent. (And he consequently wasn't say, an umpire)
4. Staker was probably needling Hall. (In other words, it was not completely unproked)
5. Staker wasn't seriously injured. (Compare this to a charging incident involving the Kangaroo's Jess Sinclair about 4 years ago)
6. Hall has not been suspended for 6 years, a very long time in the career of an AFL footballer.

Overall, if the appropriate range is 6 to 10 weeks, Hall should for the above reasons be given the lower end of that range, being 6 weeks.

[NMWBloods]

I don't think 1-4 count for anything. 5-6 (assuming scans today show 5 is true) are the critical ones. I think 6 weeks is still likely.

[top40]

If 1. to 4. didn't count, what would be the point of the Tribunal being permitted to exercise its discretion in relation to a penalty?

In assessing any penalty with the standard range of results, whether it be in the criminal law courts, or a country footy sub-committee, there has to be a comparison factor. Hence why 1, to 4 must be seen as relevant factors.

[AnnieH]

He'll get six to eight weeks.

His wrist will take twelve.

Geez it was a great hit. Makes the broken wrist almost worth it.