Much has been made of Barry Hall’s game on Sunday against Hawthorn after three successive 50 metre penalties late in the game were said to cost the team the four points.

Hall admitted this incident was disappointing, that it changed the momentum of the game and it is something he has to live with.

The forward has spoken to some of the playing group and whilst the players were no doubt disappointed with what happened they are willing to move on and told him to do the same. He understands their disappointment; if another player was to do what he did, he would be frustrated by their actions too.

Coach Paul Roos didn’t speak to him as he came off the ground but Hall felt there was nothing that needed to be said. They have however spoken since and were honest with each other.

When things aren’t going right Hall admits he gets frustrated and that it has been an ongoing theme throughout his career. It is an area he feels he has improved on but as shown on the weekend he knows he still has some work to do. He places high expectations on himself and at times it can be unhealthy.

Hall’s fear is that after all these years in footy he will be remembered for off-field indiscretions rather than his football achievements and trying to change that image is something that drives him to keep on playing.

For now, the next eleven weeks is the only thing the 32 year-old can control and he wants to show the footy club that he can put this incident behind him. He concedes it is an important second half of the year but  looks forward to returning after the bye to take on Collingwood.

Meanwhile, Leadership Group member Ryan O’Keefe was asked about Hall at a media conference earlier today. 

"Look the man he is, he took it on the chin and he said it was stupid and he accepted responsibility," O'Keefe said.

He was also quick to point out that there were other reasons the team could have lost the game.

"We had a bit of a run and it slowed our momentum, but I don't think that was the sole reason for our loss,” he said.

"We had so many opportunities during the game, even in the last quarter to use the ball and go forward and we coughed it up. That's two weeks in a row that our mistakes and ball use has really cost us.

"I reckon in the first half is where we lost the game. We had a gallant comeback, but Hawthorn is a really good side and it was tough to get back, especially in those conditions.”