Hall may get 5 weeks.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

James Hird was suggesting a week or two as the impact was so minor ie looked worse than it was.

Watching it live we were all remarking about what was going on & that there was 'nothing in it'. Then the sms messages and phone cals started coming through saying BBB was reported again. I have to admit I found it all rather mystifying.

The best thing about this was the classy way Andrew McLeod acted so that the incident did not turn into a full on melee. He shielded Hall from Adelaide players who may well have remonstrated with Hall to show support for their teammate Rutton. I wondered why he did it at the time. Now I understand why. It was very classy of him I reckon.

JF

[UglyDuckling]

Where did this "We need Barry Hall to help Johnston's development" myth come from?

Who was the big power forward in Freo's side when Pavlich was a kid?

Its not a myth without Barry Hall in the team Johnston would have to take the no.1 defender of the opposition week in week out in his first year of AFL footy. Thats a hard task look how the no.1 draft pick Jack Watts dealt with it. It will also take the pressure of Johnston thus helping in his development.

Its not a myth its the reality of the situation

[ernie koala]

1-2 weeks would seem appropriate for a stupid, but very low grade, act, by a repeat offender.
He seemed to make contact more with his open thumb. Rutten obviously wasn't fussed, he could be seen joking about it, with BBBH, after the game.
He's teetering on extinction no doubt, but I'd like to see him play for one more year and hopefully help a young developing forward line.

[Donners]

It all comes down to whether they give him low or medium impact, IIRC. If it's the latter and he misses four weeks, then surely it is all over.

[Bob Neil]

Good for AFL

With a new team in western Sydney, rugby heartland, how else will the AFL get converts? BBBH is instrumental in toughness of the code in Sydney - most rugby fans see it as a soft game - a bit of biff will get them interested.

[Donners]

I don't think any right-minded person would be impressed by somebody hitting an opponent while they are not looking. A bit of toe-to-toe is one thing, but this is far from tough.

[annew]

Watching it live we were all remarking about what was going on & that there was 'nothing in it'. Then the sms messages and phone cals started coming through saying BBB was reported again. I have to admit I found it all rather mystifying.

The best thing about this was the classy way Andrew McLeod acted so that the incident did not turn into a full on melee. He shielded Hall from Adelaide players who may well have remonstrated with Hall to show support for their teammate Rutton. I wondered why he did it at the time. Now I understand why. It was very classy of him I reckon.

JF

I couldn't agree more. How is what Hall did any worse than what Mark McVeigh did a couple of weeks ago for which he got 1 week? I realise carry over points make it a heavier penalty but really it wasn't that bad. As for McLeod I too thought what he did was excellent.

[Wazza]

It really is time the club took a stand, he should have been dropped after the Hawthorn match and probably would have been if he was at any other club.

Talk about leadership at the Swans - where is it coming from?? The club hasnt shown any - the leadership group is a rabble, Barry must feel like he can do what ever he likes.

All the talk about how we need Barry next year is utter crap, we wont play in a grand final next year, his leadership on the field is a joke. We would be better off putting White at FF now and bring in a 2nd ruckman, Im sure Micky'O will be around next year as a mentor to Lewis , White etc.

Bottom line is to punch a player whilst you over him and he is on the ground is a gutless & selfish act in any sport.

Just me 2 cents

waz

[Matt79]

I couldn't agree more. How is what Hall did any worse than what Mark McVeigh did a couple of weeks ago for which he got 1 week? I realise carry over points make it a heavier penalty but really it wasn't that bad. As for McLeod I too thought what he did was excellent.

I have not been a big advocate for Hall's behaviour recently, however, this incident was barely a tickle on the chin. It could be argued that at point of contact with Rutton it could have been a slap rather than a punch. Rutton was even joking with Hall after the match.

At worst he should get no more than 2 weeks, however, I suspect there could be a small chance he gets off!

[COBHC]

I couldn't agree more. How is what Hall did any worse than what Mark McVeigh did a couple of weeks ago for which he got 1 week? I realise carry over points make it a heavier penalty but really it wasn't that bad. As for McLeod I too thought what he did was excellent.

McLeod is all class, he is my favourite player outside the Swans. I love him.

[Pace To Burn]

So will Rutten go for the elbow to his face?

@@@@ me the game has gone soft.

Bucks is right.

Exactly, doesnt make it right what Barry did but Rutten def elbowed him and not a woed said, if someone did it to me id do exactly the same as Baz

[Margie]

I don't think the point is whether or not this incident was worse than any another. It seems Barry Hall just cannot control his urge to punch. If it was a one-off, it would be different. However, he is rightly or wrongly now known as a thug and gives the team a bad name.

It must also be unsettling for his teammates as Hall's actions often cast a pall over the game.

[snajik]

I think the severity of the impact is irrelevant. The point is that he did it. The bloke is a recidivist and many must think he's a lost cause that just cannot control his emotions. He continues to assert that everything is ok upstairs but where is the evidence?

I love watching Baz play and he's done some great things for this club but lordy lordy this stuff is so frustrating. It's highly unlikely that he will escape suspension, which consequently lets the team down (again). It's a bit hard to be a productive forward when you are sitting in the stand.

No doubt he'll get a contract extension at season's end simply because of where the list is at. He's probably lucky that there will (and have been) a few retirements and a number of others sadly out of form. Whether he deserves an extension is debatable. I wonder what Ricky Mott makes of it?

[hot potato]

Hall should write a letter of apology to all the members.....
and cease his weekly 'waste of space' column in the SMH...


HP

[gossipcom]

According to reports on Twitter he can accept a 2 week guilty plea.

#AFL tribunal: Barry Hall can accept a 2 week ban for his brain/Rutten snap. 395 pts = 3 weeks (5 short of 4wks), -25% for early = 296=2wks