Hall on MMM

[Wardy]

There wasn't much in the Rutten incident, but after his cowardly hit on Staker he had no business putting himself and more importantly the club in that position again. Is it any wonder that Roos Kirk and co were pissed off with him?

Even if he get's picked up I can't see this biting us on the bum, because every team knows that he is easily frustrated and if you niggle him you can put him off his game

Staker was at him and at him off the ball- the umps saw it and did nothing - sure it didnt look good - but Staker was not hurt - if he was, there is no way he would have been running around the boundary like he was from half time onwards at the same game - but the media made a mountain our of a molehill and then the slow demise was underway.

and now - how ironic that they have within weeks of him "retiring" changed the rules to the constant niggling of defenders.

[Lohengrin]

Sigh do we have to go over this again.

Barry has got nobody to blame but himself, end of story

He does have only himself to blame, which he would freely acknowledge, but that's not the end of the story. Everything should have been handled behind closed doors, not played out in the media.

[Lohengrin]

Staker was at him and at him off the ball- the umps saw it and did nothing - sure it didnt look good - but Staker was not hurt - if he was, there is no way he would have been running around the boundary like he was from half time onwards at the same game - but the media made a mountain our of a molehill and then the slow demise was underway.

Oh really, do we need to go over this incident again. There is nothing defensible about it at all.

[goswannie14]

I just can't see it happening TBH, he still has the talent but he is clearly not 100% committed to football and hasn't been for a couple of years.

So you know him personally and he has told you this? If not, then that is a ludicrous statement to make, as you have no knowledge of the facts.

[Melbournehammer]

It was stupid but 'cold cocked the guy' - turn it up, it was a lovetap.

Still can't believe this man isn't at the club. Hope he plays next year and sticks it up a number of people.

completely agree. And while I am looking forward to the next swans team I think he was poorly treated by the club.

[Wardy]

Oh really, do we need to go over this incident again. There is nothing defensible about it at all.

No - I responding to a previous post not you!

[caj23]

So you know him personally and he has told you this? If not, then that is a ludicrous statement to make, as you have no knowledge of the facts.

This is a forum, it's my opinion. If this is a place for posting fact then it's going to be pretty quiet around here.

If you think that snotting blokes, sulking, poor body language and regular tantrums on the park to the detriment of your team mates are the actions of a committed player than good luck to you.

Perhaps you could phone Barry to obtain the "facts" before responding

[goswannie14]

Oh really, do we need to go over this incident again. There is nothing defensible about it at all.

Actually, most people who have seen the footage of the lead up to the punch agree that if the umpires had done their job Staker would have been penalised for the bear hug and Hall wouldn't have hit him. I agree that you have to take responsibility for your own actions (which Hall has), but the umpires also have to take responsibility for their inaction when Hall was clearly being infringed against.

[AnnieH]

Actually, most people who have seen the footage of the lead up to the punch agree that if the umpires had done their job Staker would have been penalised for the bear hug and Hall wouldn't have hit him. I agree that you have to take responsibility for your own actions (which Hall has), but the umpires also have to take responsibility for their inaction when Hall was clearly being infringed against.

You know I love you to death Rev, but you're living in la la land if you think that's something that's going to happen in our (or your kid's) lifetimes.

[caj23]

Actually, most people who have seen the footage of the lead up to the punch agree that if the umpires had done their job Staker would have been penalised for the bear hug and Hall wouldn't have hit him. I agree that you have to take responsibility for your own actions (which Hall has), but the umpires also have to take responsibility for their inaction when Hall was clearly being infringed against.

Now you're just embarrasing yourself

PS: Is the highlighted part fact or opinion?

[hammo]

Staker was at him and at him off the ball- the umps saw it and did nothing - sure it didnt look good - but Staker was not hurt - if he was, there is no way he would have been running around the boundary like he was from half time onwards at the same game - but the media made a mountain our of a molehill and then the slow demise was underway.

Staker was knocked unconscious and I think he missed some weeks with concussion. Just because he was running around the boundary doesn't mean he wasn't severely concussed.

[Industrial Fan]

Staker was at him and at him off the ball- the umps saw it and did nothing - sure it didnt look good - but Staker was not hurt - if he was, there is no way he would have been running around the boundary like he was from half time onwards at the same game - but the media made a mountain our of a molehill and then the slow demise was underway.

and now - how ironic that they have within weeks of him "retiring" changed the rules to the constant niggling of defenders.

That's something new - downplaying the Staker punch! I doubt Hall himself would do that - even behind closed doors.

A tad paranoid about the rule changes too methinks. Maybe they changed them so he was more likely to be recruited next year?

[Lohengrin]

Actually, most people who have seen the footage of the lead up to the punch agree that if the umpires had done their job Staker would have been penalised for the bear hug and Hall wouldn't have hit him. I agree that you have to take responsibility for your own actions (which Hall has), but the umpires also have to take responsibility for their inaction when Hall was clearly being infringed against.

Players do that every week. Crouch and Kirk both do it in their tagging roles. C Bolton does it really well. Staker is a flea and Hall should have ignored him. Justifying the punch is embarrassing and the only people I have ever seen excusing it are on here.

[dimelb]

My 10 cents' worth:
The umpire should have pinged Staker.
Baz should not have whacked him.
The whole series of events is a minor tragedy, especially as Baz seemed to have turned over a new leaf and managed his demons, becoming a valuable role model in the process.
There was no way the incidents were going to be handled behind closed doors; this is the Swans in 2009, not say Carlton a decade ago. The club could not be seen to be endorsing or excusing what Baz did in any way.
Roos and Kirk have every right to feel bitterly disappointed at Baz's regression. And I take note of Mick Malthouse's comment that if people like Roos and Kirk can't get Barry Hall back on track, he himself is not going to try.
He remains one of my favourite Swans and I regret both that he has left and has gone backwards in terms of on-field conduct.
I wish him the best for the future and hope he can play somewhere else and finish his career in a fitting way.
I am saddened by the whole tawdry episode.

[caj23]

My 10 cents' worth:
The umpire should have pinged Staker.
Baz should not have whacked him.
The whole series of events is a minor tragedy, especially as Baz seemed to have turned over a new leaf and managed his demons, becoming a valuable role model in the process.
There was no way the incidents were going to be handled behind closed doors; this is the Swans in 2009, not say Carlton a decade ago. The club could not be seen to be endorsing or excusing what Baz did in any way.
Roos and Kirk have every right to feel bitterly disappointed at Baz's regression. And I take note of Mick Malthouse's comment that if people like Roos and Kirk can't get Barry Hall back on track, he himself is not going to try.
He remains one of my favourite Swans and I regret both that he has left and has gone backwards in terms of on-field conduct.
I wish him the best for the future and hope he can play somewhere else and finish his career in a fitting way.
I am saddened by the whole tawdry episode.

Well put Di