After a seven-week suspension and a wrist injury, Hall returned in round 12 against St Kilda for a return of two goals, before collecting five majors against Melbourne in a performance that bodes well for the back-end of the season.
The Swans face Collingwood in round 14 at ANZ stadium immediately after their mid-season break, and again in round 21 at Telstra Dome. Other top eight sides waiting for them include Hawthorn (round 15, away), Adelaide (round 17, home), the Western Bulldogs (round 18 at Manuka) and an ANZ stadium blockbuster with reigning premiers Geelong in round 20.
Goalkicking midfielder Amon Buchanan says Hall's game in Canberra last weekend shows how integral the big forward will be as the 2005 premiers look to make it six finals campaigns in a row this September.
"He kicked 5.5 so if he had kicked straighter it could've been a ten goal performance," Buchanan said today. "He's going to be massive for us in the second half of the season."
Buchanan's thoughts were echoed by fellow Swan Luke Ablett, who added that the 31-year-old spearhead's ability to train while away from the game was important in getting him back on the paddock and in the groove so quickly.
"The benefit of having an arm injury is that he's continued to train. And Barry was in really good form before his suspension," said Ablett.
"I think his body is feeling the best it probably has in 18 months. He had ten shots at goal [against Melbourne]. That's a good sign.
"We have a pretty tough run home with some good teams and some good defences, so hopefully we can continue to give him the opportunity to keep kicking goals."
What's more, Ablett said little has changed with Hall's ability to lighten the mood in the camp as the side moves towards the business end of the season.
"Around the place he's been his normal self. He's vibrant, cracking jokes and carrying on".
Buchanan concurred. "He knows when to be serious and when to have a laugh and muck-around. He's one of the blokes who makes going to training fun."
