Bazzmania incentive

[Go Swannies]

I'm just back home in Sydney from a weekend in Melbourne. Since Saturday night each paper has had at least four pages on Baz - front and back covers of Hun and Age both days and most of the sport section. He's the city's hero.

Good on him for doing well. But I imagine that a few of his old teammates may be less than impressed with his new enthusiasm (and accuracy) for his new club. I wonder if that will act as an incentive for the Swans this season?

I bet it does for Craig Bolton when he plays on him . . .

[Big Al]

Some guys need a change to get back to performing well. So i don't think his team mates would begrudge him any success he has this year. Remember he was our premiership captain so most Swans people would hope he does well.

[chalbilto]

Some guys need a change to get back to performing well. So i don't think his team mates would begrudge him any success he has this year. Remember he was our premiership captain so most Swans people would hope he does well.

Except when he plays against the Swans

[Wardy]

I'm just glad that he is happy - and playing again. You can see that he is really relishing having a mid field who are able to get the ball to him quickly and without hesitation and he has filled the void in their forward line. He is well supported by Eade. Paul Williams and Brad Johnson - which would make a huge difference to his outlook. Lets also not forget Sophie - she looks to have created some calm and genuine happiness in his life, I hope that this year is good for him and the Doggies (if it cant be us that is!)

[johnno]

As long as he doesn't start to @@@@can the swans, I'm fine with everything. We needed to get rid of him and he needed to find a new home, win, win for both parties. All the best Bazza.....just not against us.

[Plugger46]

I've had a gutful of the Melbourne media. He was treated as a serial killer last year. Now all of a sudden, everyone loves him.

I hope he does well and he'll always be a favourite but it's getting beyond a joke.

[Wardy]

I've had a gutful of the Melbourne media. He was treated as a serial killer last year. Now all of a sudden, everyone loves him.

I hope he does well and he'll always be a favourite but it's getting beyond a joke.

You are spot on - even Rebecca Wilson - who bagged the daylights out of him day after day last year virtually calling for a public stoning of him and saying that he was a blight on the game - bangs on last Sunday on Offsiders that she still cant move on that he left the Swans (well what was he supposed to do - the club and the media wanted his scalp) but then waxes on "oh but he's so fantastic to watch isnt he?" the change of attitude towards him has been diabolical!

I just want him to stick it up all of his critics basically and have a great year, maybe win a flag, then he can retire on his terms.

[AnnieH]

I'm still a bit pissed off at him. No, make that a lot pissed off with him.

He could kick goals, he just didn't want to kick them for us!! Smells suspiciously of "what can I do to get out of my contract with the swans" to me.

Bastard Blind Barry.

[Wardy]

I'm still a bit pissed off at him. No, make that a lot pissed off with him.

He could kick goals, he just didn't want to kick them for us!! Smells suspiciously of "what can I do to get out of my contract with the swans" to me.

Bastard Blind Barry.

so you are saying he was tanking on his own team then?

[Big Al]

Offsiders that she still cant move on that he left the Swans (well what was he supposed to do - the club and the media wanted his scalp) but then waxes on "oh but he's so fantastic to watch isnt he?" the change of attitude towards him has been diabolical!

I just want him to stick it up all of his critics basically and have a great year, maybe win a flag, then he can retire on his terms.

One of the rare occasions I disagree with you Wardy...Hall's behaviour gave the Swans no other options to do what they did.

I hope he does well as I've said above but I certainly won't take back my criticism of Hall about his behavior with the Swans last year.

[AnnieH]

so you are saying he was tanking on his own team then?

Yep.
I've been saying it for over two years. Why doesn't anyone listen to me?

Easiest way out of a contract is to obviously play like @@@@ and be a bastard.

Worked for Bastard Blind Barry!!

[Wardy]

One of the rare occasions I diagree with you Wardy...Hall's behaviour gave the Swans no other options to do what they did.

I hope he does well as I've said above but I certainly won't take back my criticism of Hall about his behavior with the Swans last year.

I have no problems with your thoughts at all Al, please dont think that, I wouldnt expect you too. I was more surprised at Rebecca Wilson and her complete turn around thats all.

We all have an opinion on the matter, some are for Baz (like me) and some are against him- so be it - but as Plugger 46 said - last year Baz was practically being compared to Osama Binladen - now that he's kicking goals for Footscray - the media think he's the beez knees - the change of feeling is amazing.

[msb]

I'm still a bit pissed off at him. No, make that a lot pissed off with him.

He could kick goals, he just didn't want to kick them for us!! Smells suspiciously of "what can I do to get out of my contract with the swans" to me.

Bastard Blind Barry.

I agree, clearly he can still play but towards the end with the swans it was though he was doing things to be 'forced out'. I am still bemused by the rutten incident, he knew he was on his last legs, especially after that game against hawthorn aswell, and it was as though he did it to be outed. Sure, I am forever grateful that he WAS a great player and premiership captain for us, but I dont wish him well and it is very disappointing how it all turned out, after seeing his form over the last few games, roosy must be thinking what the hell?

[Big Al]

We all have an opinion on the matter, some are for Baz (like me) and some are against him- so be it - but as Plugger 46 said - last year Baz was practically being compared to Osama Binladen - now that he's kicking goals for Footscray - the media think he's the beez knees - the change of feeling is amazing.

I guess I'm a little sensitive with any criticism of the Swans with their handling of a player that was losing the plot at regular intervals and clearly did not want to be at the Swans anymore. However I do know where your coming from and I do respect your opinion.

As for the media I completely agree with you. They are known for going over the top in both directions on any issue and Hall is no exception. The media are about selling newspapers and ratings so a measured response in any situation is not all that likely.

[laughingnome]

...now that he's kicking goals for Footscray - the media think he's the beez knees - the change of feeling is amazing.

I remember reading in a preview of the coming season someone wrote on Jarrod McVeigh, "If he played for Collingwood he'd be a superstar." The implication being that the Melbourne Media and Collingwood PR machine would kick into overdrive about him if they were one of their own. Regardless of what anyone's personal opinion is about McVeigh I believe he's not the only one that is an under-valued 'interstate (sic)' player.

The same could be applied to Hall maybe, though it's possible he's more like the Fev plot: when he plays well the Media loves him, and when he underperforms or stuffs up they all bay for his blood.