FOOTBALL’S TOUGHEST LINE-UP
HOBART public servant Matt Phillips stands 190cm and weighs just 85kg wringing wet. Yet he’s been chosen for the biggest job in Tasmanian football tomorrow: to shut down ex-AFL star Barry Hall. Hall — whose famed giant frame weighs about 110kg — will line up for Cygnet against Phillips’s Lindisfarne tomorrow in a one-off appearance.
Phillips said he was excited but also nervous and “the main thing is not to get wrestling with him, because obviously he will pretty much crush me”.
MATT Phillips stands 190cm and weighs 85kg wringing wet — and will have the biggest job in Tasmanian football tomorrow, trying to quell raging bull, big bad bustling Barry Hall.
Hall, who weighs about 110kg, will line up for Cygnet against Phillips’s Lindisfarne tomorrow in a one-off appearance.
Phillips, the public servant by weekday and Lindisfarne full back by Saturday, will be given first crack at the former St Kilda, Sydney and Western Bulldogs star forward who was known for his aggressive physical style of play that caused more headlines than his ability to kick big bags of goals. “I’m a bit nervous, it is big Barry but more excited. It is a great opportunity and something you can tell your kids about,” Phillips, 29, said.
“The main thing is not to get wrestling with him, because obviously he will pretty much crush me if I do.
“I thought they would play one of the stronger fellas on him because I’m pretty tall and skinny, but I’m loving the opportunity to do it.”
Hall, 42, has a formidable record both on the field and at the tribunal, playing 289 AFL games, booting 746 goals and being captain of Sydney’s drought-breaking 2005 premiership.
But he also had a short fuse, “highlighted” when he infamously decked West Coast’s Brent Staker, which earned him a seven-week suspension. Phillips, who has played 251 games for the Two Blues, said he was fully aware of Hall’s playing exploits and his fearsome reputation.
“As an Essendon supporter he was always the enemy but I do respect him and what he did for the game,” he said.
“My parents flew out to Bali this morning so they are gutted they are going to miss it, but I’ll be dragging as many as I can down there.”
Lindisfarne coach Daniel Willing said having such a player as Hall in the Southern Football League was fantastic for the competition.
“It is great for the competition and a great initiative from Cygnet and probably something more clubs in the SFL could do a bit more,” Willing said.
Tomorrow’s game will be played at Cygnet Oval starting at 2pm.
The main thing is not to get wrestling with him, because obviously he will pretty much crush me if I do — MATT PHILLIPS