Sydney Swans forward Barry Hall has apologised for striking West Coast defender Brent Staker during the match on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium
Together with coach Paul Roos, Hall spoke to the media on Sunday afternoon, and expressed his sincere disappointment in his own actions.
Roos thanked the media for attending the press conference, and stated that Hall’s wish to speak to the media came of his own volition.
“We understand everyone has seen the incident, it was on television obviously, as a football club we understand it is unacceptable,” said the senior coach.
“Barry understands it is completely unacceptable and he was very keen to come in and answer any questions in relation to the incident.”
While acknowledging elements of the incident were accidental, Hall accepted full responsibility for his actions, and expressed his intention to accept whatever penalty he receives from the AFL Tribunal.
“I suppose there was a bit of frustration, certainly a lot of frustration there, it was just a reaction sort of thing,” said Hall, explaining how the incident came about.
“Certainly, watching the vision after, it looked terrible and, as Roosy said, it was unacceptable. I certainly didn't mean to hit him high or to cause damage the way I did and [cause him to] sit off the rest of the game.”
“But the thing is it did happen. It shouldn't have happened in the first place. You shouldn't put yourself in that position, so I'll cop that on the chin and whatever the tribunal come up with, I've just got to cop.”
The Swans’ leading goal-kicker also expressed regret at the possible consequences of his actions.
“That is why we are here, said it many times it is unacceptable,” said Hall.
“Not only for our footy club but for footy in general: it shouldn't happen.”
“We have lots of young kids in NSW, we are trying to grow the game, we can't have incidents like this setting the game back or giving it a bad name so we are here to face the music and to tell people it is not acceptable and never will be.”
Coach Paul Roos was also quick to clarify that the discussion he had with Hall during half time, television footage of which had the subject of some media speculation, actually related to a hamstring injury Hall suffered in the first quarter.
“I hadn't seen the incident because I was on the bench,” said Roos.
“So that [discussion] was in relation to an injury, I actually didn't see the incident at the particular time.”
Hall acknowledged the incident undermined much of his hard work over the last six to seven years.
“It is an ongoing thing, if you have got a bit of a reputation about something, that if you make good steps forward, a little slip up and you are back to the start again.
“I've got to prove to everyone again I can control myself and that these things won't and shouldn't happen. It is as simple as that.
“I think I've been good for a long time but I have made a mistake there is no doubt about that, there was frustration there, it was a spur of the moment, split-second thing and it shouldn't have happened. It was just a mind explosion and as I said it looked very ordinary on the replay and I certainly regret it.”
Hall suspects an injury he suffered late in the game may well be a broken wrist, but the exact nature of the injury won't be confirmed until he has scans on Monday morning.
“It looks that way. I will get x-rays in the morning and that will determine whether I go in for an operation tomorrow afternoon. It all hinges on the x-ray in the morning at this stage.”
Hall said he phoned Staker and left a message on his phone apologising for the incident.
