In defense of Hall

[BeeEmmAre]

And the match review panel has cleared Barry Hall for both 'incidents' that I thought he'd get victimised further over.

Steven King cops four-week ban, Patrick Ryder suspended for a week | Herald Sun

[SwansFan1972]

And the Hawks in general are the premier niggle team. A shame that such a skilful side see a need to do all that crap.

Sam Mitchell with his face lit up like bulb wagging three fingers in Baz's face was a perfect imitation of a freckly mouthly little pug that every primary school has. You know - the kid that chirps away like a mossie and gets in the face of the bigger kids until finally someone snaps and snots him one. Who then gets hammered by authority for doing what anyone would do!

[Nico]

And the Hawks in general are the premier niggle team. A shame that such a skilful side see a need to do all that crap.

Sam Mitchell with his face lit up like bulb wagging three fingers in Baz's face was a perfect imitation of a freckly mouthly little pug that every primary school has. You know - the kid that chirps away like a mossie and gets in the face of the bigger kids until finally someone snaps and snots him one. Who then gets hammered by authority for doing what anyone would do!

My son played against Sam Mitchell for 4 years as a junior. He displayed none of that behaviour and was a well respected player who was the seond best in his age group in the EFL behind Damian Cupido (now there's a lost talent).

I reckon his behaviour has been influenced by Clarkson who is best remembered for his sniping. The lifting of the knee into the thigh of players last year and his elbows are now becoming a signature of his game, sad really because he is very good at finding the footy in close and always has been. How he wasn't drafted first up is beyond most people's comprehension who saw him as a junior.

[Melbournehammer]

Have you actually seen the incident or just listened to the press? Because your over-reaction is exactly what I would expect from a member of the press.

FWIW the momentum shift in the game was starting when Bevan gave away that blatant free kick to Williams right in front of goal, just before the Hall free kick not being awarded. But it's always easier to blame Hall than face the obvious.

not to labour the point but the momentum shift was goodes playing on by dummying to his right and getting caught by guerra.

[stellation]

It's up on youtube now, that's the first time I've bothered to watch a replay. All 3 of those were soft as hell.

[SwansFan1972]

Barry Hall is a legend. Roughead is nearly as soft as Adam Hunter now.

I reckon his behaviour has been influenced by Clarkson who is best remembered for his sniping. The lifting of the knee into the thigh of players last year and his elbows are now becoming a signature of his game, sad really because he is very good at finding the footy in close and always has been. How he wasn't drafted first up is beyond most people's comprehension who saw him as a junior.

It is a shame, because if you take all that out of his game, he is a star. In the end, he is blowing his own reputation - he has the potential to be remembered in the game like bucks, hird, mcleod (i.e, respected across the board, not just - or even - by his own club supporters).

This is the club that "drew the line in the sand" of course (against the Bombers in 2004). Was nonsense then, and the key personnel have changed, but they still obviously adhere to some elements.

[SwansFan1972]

not to labour the point but the momentum shift was goodes playing on by dummying to his right and getting caught by guerra.

spot on.

[DST]

None of the BBBH incidents were reportable and the MRP have found likewise.

But it did take the wind out of our sails at the time and had a profound impact on the game.

DST

[DST]

spot on.

Goodes is our only real attacking weapon.

He has and should have license to do this type of thing in order to create.

Therefore I have no issue with him getting caught with the ball trying something like this.

DST

[goswannie14]

not to labour the point but the momentum shift was goodes playing on by dummying to his right and getting caught by guerra.

IIRC that play ended in the Bevan free kick, so we are talking about he same play.

[Lohengrin]

IIRC that play ended in the Bevan free kick, so we are talking about he same play.

It did. And the Hall incident was the next passage of play from the centre.

Three poor errors in a row.

Still, we had played so poorly for most of the game, it really shouldn't come down to a critical few plays when playing against an undermanned team, even a good one.

[Triple B]

Goodes is our only real attacking weapon.

He has and should have license to do this type of thing in order to create.

Therefore I have no issue with him getting caught with the ball trying something like this.

DST

Absolutely.

Continually trying to create, especially when your teammates are woefully short on confidence to also go down the same path, will often lead to the odd occasion where u will get caught.

Much better to try and fail once in a while then not trying at all.

[dimelb]

Hall leads and they ignore him. After how many ignored leads should he keep trying? Ignoring him as consistently as they do when he leads would be forgivable if they then kicked to a team-mate freed up by that lead, but they don't. They hold it up and eventually just bomb it in hope. In years gone by they could afford to hold it up and pin-point a pass, but the skill level isn't there in the midfield to do that these days.

After being ignored, he doubles back and they drop it on his head when he is double and triple teamed. There is thinking that needs to take place alright - in the midfield.

He busted his arse leading and running in the cats game (for example) and not once did they use him well - the responsibility for that rests solely on the midfield, yet Hally cops all the heat.

As for the bringing it on himself, either the rules are there to be enforced or not. Being a sweetheart towards the umpires should make no difference, but it clearly does. It is obvious that the umpires turn a blind eye to clear infractions on Hall - he is treated differently. Frustration then sets in and then the merest suggestion of a free from Hall gets paid, along with a few that are just plucked from fantasy land. Puts into perspective all the blarney the AFL puts out about the umpires, and their decision making processes - they umpire what they see, they don't guess etc etc.

Oh - and we all think about the game - obviously. Fortunately we don't all just fall into line and agree - would make for a rather dull forum, if you think about it.

Agree with this.

[Lohengrin]

Hall leads and they ignore him. After how many ignored leads should he keep trying?

He busted his arse leading and running in the cats game (for example) and not once did they use him well - the responsibility for that rests solely on the midfield, yet Hally cops all the heat.

He should just keep trying - it's his job and it's not about him, it's about the team. He's very selfish at times.

[Swans500]

In the game day thread , along with many on the forum,I blasted Hall. I was angry as I have ever been in footy. BUT....I was listening on radio and went by the commentators and the posts here.
Having finally seen it all on YouTube I have completely reversed my opinion.
For sure, the original incident was just typical of the crap BBB cops...the second 50 should in fact have been reversed if anything. What an overact from the Hawthorn player who clearly initiated the contact.

Now I am angry again for all the opposite reasons!