Halls side of the story

[AnnieH]

HE SAID my actions showed I didn't want to play footy, and that perhaps I wanted to move in a different direction, whether it be to boxing or something else.

I could read between the lines. The club had decided that I should be moved on, and in their view this was the moment for me to quit and leave with some dignity. I could understand that - I'm not a total idiot. It's just how the whole thing was handled that I felt was ordinary.

If they had come to me and said, "Hally, you've had one too many chances - you've left us with no option but to sack you", I would have been disappointed, but I would have known it was my fault and I wouldn't have blamed anyone but myself for that outcome.

You KNEW what was coming and admit that it was "all your fault", and had they come and told you so, you wouldn't have blamed anyone but yourself.

Really? Seriously????
So you wouldn't have ADMITTED it fully to yourself that you're a total nutbag unless someone from the club came and told you. And you're not a total idiot. So long as you think so Baz, that's the main thing.

[Jewels]

Barry I loved you when you played for us, great champion. I believe the Swans did all they could for Barry and as for Roos not speaking to him whenever, leave it be. It strikes me that Barry is still carrying this resentment and his covert retorts via this book is abit hypocritical seeing he wants open and honest communication. I will always appreciate his contribution to our premiership year and other years but I won't bow down to Big Barry and his excuses. I have never heard so much rubbish from one who says he accepts his behaviour was inappropriate again but the devil made me do it. Roos is to blame. Look back Barry you have more to be proud of than this crap.

Damn fine post Swannielady and very spot on.

When my children were little and they gave me the "it was their fault not mine" bit, they were given a slap on the bum and told to face up to their actions and they've all grown into wonderful, honourable adults. Maybe Barry should have been given a few more slaps on the bum when he was a child cause that's one lesson he obviously has never learned.

[DLBIA14]

I liked Barry, a lot actually. However, every time he proceeds to bag our club, premiership coach and fans that affection has been dithering away. Now I think he is a right @@@@@.

That's right Barry, continue to blame circumstance and the club. That whole except reads: 'It was my fault but...the club didn't do this/i didn't intend this/Roos wouldn't do this blah, blah, blah'.

It's a disgrace that he held aloft our premiership cup. It's clear that he views the club with nothing but resentment and anger.

He talks about how he felt isolated by his teammates and coaches, but you know what Barry, how do you think they felt when you continued to bring the club unwanted attention both on and off the field? How did they feel when you couldn't control your anger and proceeded to lose us games? Did you really think Roos could talk to you when he was internally seething? You caused your own demise.

Now to be angry at Roos for talking to the media before you at the time, is beyond hypocritical. Here you are making a buck out of exposing the Swans inner sanctum and private discussions when Roos now says you didn't raise any of those concerns with him at the time.

Now I'm pleased he calls himself a Dog instead of a Swan. He aptly fits the title, no?

[BSA5]

It's just an excerpt from a ghost written book, but I thought it came across as critical on Roos for his handling of the situation and not blaming him for punching Rutten.

Roos' statements have confirmed that Hall tried to contact him to discuss the situation, that Roos fronted the media before talking to Hall and that Roos did not contact Hall for a couple of days. I believe Roos has previously acknowledged that he made a mistake in not contacting Hall. For someone in a role as a leader of men I don't think it was Roos' finest hour.

This. Hall hasn't blamed anybody for his actions on field, and Roos has admitted he acted inappropriately and wished he'd done things differently. Hall is just filling in the gap. There hasn't been a single word, written or spoken, from Hall that blames anybody but himself for them wanting to sack him. It was only the reaction to his actions, which Roos has admitted was poor, so I'm really not seeing the problem.

[swannielady]

This. Hall hasn't blamed anybody for his actions on field, and Roos has admitted he acted inappropriately and wished he'd done things differently. Hall is just filling in the gap. There hasn't been a single word, written or spoken, from Hall that blames anybody but himself for them wanting to sack him. It was only the reaction to his actions, which Roos has admitted was poor, so I'm really not seeing the problem.

Really how about the bagging of supporters, us I mean. How about his team mates not being up to scratch to get him the ball, how about little digs at Roos being the Messiah. Thats what has been published and you can look at old tapes of the Footy Show to see his comments. It is the land of free speech and he can do as he pleases but to rubbish your former club and coach about things he caused is poor form. Not to mention those who stood and cheered when he did his lap of honour around the SCG. To bring Roos into it just shifts the focus of his behaviour and lack of remorse for his deeds. He has remorse alright for himself. At least Roos admits his failing as a coach (as Barry sees it) for me its a sad way for a hero of this club to be remembered cause he is better than that I am sure.

[hot potato]

Whovever advised you Baz to 'write' and publish that stuff did you no service. I wont buy it. I'd rather have a beer with Roosey, but thanks for offering.

[Big Al]

Look, I stuffed up - no arguments, no complaints - but I did lose a bit of respect for him for not having the decency to call me personally.

Seems he's taken responsibility for what he did. Also Roos confirmed he didn't speak to Hall and regrets not doing so.

And look, I don't blame anyone for the outcome which did occur, either

Seems Hall is filthy at the process and not the eventual outcome.

I'm happy to give it to Hall between the eyes if he didn't take responsibilty for his actions but I can't see anything in this excerpt that gives me cause to do this.

[Red]

Big Blubbering Baby.

[liz]

This. Hall hasn't blamed anybody for his actions on field, and Roos has admitted he acted inappropriately and wished he'd done things differently. Hall is just filling in the gap. There hasn't been a single word, written or spoken, from Hall that blames anybody but himself for them wanting to sack him. It was only the reaction to his actions, which Roos has admitted was poor, so I'm really not seeing the problem.

Has Roos admitted he acted inappropriately, or just said that if he had his time again, he might do things differently? The distinction is subtle but it is there. I imagine that with the passing of time, Roos has forgotten the strength of his emotions at the time. I know I have got so angry at times with the actions of a person that I haven't wanted to speak with them for fear of what I might say (and later regret). After all, it is not as if Roos didn't talk to Hall for a week - it was just a couple of days. I am surprised that Hall, who admits his actions were to blame, can't seem to understand why Roos might not have talked to him for that short time.

[Plugger46]

Has Roos admitted he acted inappropriately, or just said that if he had his time again, he might do things differently? The distinction is subtle but it is there. I imagine that with the passing of time, Roos has forgotten the strength of his emotions at the time. I know I have got so angry at times with the actions of a person that I haven't wanted to speak with them for fear of what I might say (and later regret). After all, it is not as if Roos didn't talk to Hall for a week - it was just a couple of days. I am surprised that Hall, who admits his actions were to blame, can't seem to understand why Roos might not have talked to him for that short time.

He was coach of the club - even if he didn't want to and especially with the media attention, surely it was part of his job to have those sorts of conversations?

[msb]

Oh geez im well and truly over this, it was all we heard about the week when he announced his retirement and here we go again. I really dont see how hall could be critical of the club at all, how many chances was he given??? Ok so his beef is roosy never rang him? Well what does he expect? It wouldnt of mattered either way, he was finished at the club as soon as he hit rutten and IMO he was bloody lucky that he was even given ANOTHER chance to play on in 2009 after all the dramas of 08.

[ShockOfHair]

I like the bit about Roos being too gutless to meet Hall on his own. Of course, Hall not demanding a one-on-one meeting with his coach - that was gutsy.

[Snake]

WTF - Hall's story has more holes in it than a block off Swiss cheese..... Roo's and Longmire where on the same page but not Hall. Its just not Roo's decision to sack him, it's the clubs decision.

Quote: "I did one interview that night, with the Sydney Morning Herald, just to get my side of the story out there. I said I wasn't going to retire, and that I hadn't lost the desire to play. I pointed out that I'd played well for three quarters against Adelaide with a torn muscle in my hip."

Well Barry why did you need to get your side off the story out there!!!! You hadn't been sacked yet.......

[stellation]

Has Roos admitted he acted inappropriately, or just said that if he had his time again, he might do things differently? The distinction is subtle but it is there. I imagine that with the passing of time, Roos has forgotten the strength of his emotions at the time. I know I have got so angry at times with the actions of a person that I haven't wanted to speak with them for fear of what I might say (and later regret). After all, it is not as if Roos didn't talk to Hall for a week - it was just a couple of days. I am surprised that Hall, who admits his actions were to blame, can't seem to understand why Roos might not have talked to him for that short time.

From this article.

Roos yesterday admitted he should have spoken to Hall after the Rutten incident, which ultimately ended Hall's career in Sydney.

"If I had my time over again, I would've spoken to him," Roos said.

"He rang me, left a message, asked to call back, but I should have spoken to him. I didn't speak to him until probably Tuesday. I think we played Saturday night."

If Paul has said that if he had his time over again he would have spoken to him then I think it's semantics to debate whether he thinks he did the right thing or not.

It seems that Barry called Paul asking for him to return his call on Sunday, and eventually spoke to Paul on Tuesday. If Paul was so angry that he didn't take Barry's call on Sunday then clearly he had watched the footage/was aware of the incident at that point and the ramifications. I certainly understand being so angry that you don't want to speak to someone- but if Paul could not get his emotions in check to be able to speak to Barry for 2 days, then I honestly would question his emotional maturity. Keep in mind that this is dealing with somebody's career/livelihood, in an occupation that during the season appears to involve people 24/7, so 2 days is quite a long time.

[liz]

He was coach of the club - even if he didn't want to and especially with the media attention, surely it was part of his job to have those sorts of conversations?

It was his job to manage the needs to 45-6 young men (of varying degrees of maturity, not always associated with their ages) not to mention managing a support staff of goodness knows how many. If, for a period of a couple of days, he was so pissed off with one of his charges that he didn't feel inclined to speak with him, that hardly adds up to a dereliction of duty.

Supposed Roos had phone Barry on the Sunday evening, angry as hell, and said to him "Barry, I never want to see your face again. You're a brainless idiot. Consider your time at the well and truly over." Would everything then be peachy between Roos and Barry? Would Roos have been seen to have "done his job"?