Baz set to begin Tiger tale Labrador debut for AFL great
FORMER AFL star Barry Hall has declared himself as good as gold for his debut with the Labrador Tigers in a QAFL fixture this weekend.
At 40, Hall will run out for the Tigers against Morningside at Cooke-Murphy Oval on Saturday for the first of a minimum of five games he has signed to play.
“I’ve also agreed to play finals if that I the case,” Hall said.
Labrador coach Aaron Shattock jokingly suggested Hall could start at full-back rather than full-forward, although he conceded that the attacking role is a given.
“We’ll see how it goes on the day because Retzy (skipper Bryce Retzlaff) has kicked 16 goals in the past two games.
“And some of the boys have been joking about making Bazza come back in the twos.”
Hall’s debut for Labrador has been held up because, late last year, he signed to play two charity games in Victoria – with Pearcedale in the Nepean League and last weekend with The Basin in the Eastern Football League Division 3.
Hall showed in both that he still has it with eight goals for Pearcedale and four for The Basin.
What is more big crowds turned up for both guest appearances and that is what it is all about now for the Tigers.
“I had those two games locked in from January and decided to wait until they were over,” Hall said of his delayed start with Labrador.
“The good thing about Labrador is we’ve had time together, I’ve been training with them all year.
“I’ve pulled up as good as gold from (those games) and that’s because I don’t run as much as I used to. I probably did one kilometre for the whole game on Saturday.”
Hall suggested he may take along a bungee cord and tie it to a post to make sure he doesn’t wander too far.
The one thing Hall does not need on Saturday is for a repeat of an intruder during his game for The Basin.
At one stage a local male performed a streak and made a beeline for the former St Kilda, Sydney and Western Bulldogs star.
“I heard a bit of noise from the crowd and out of the corner of my eye I saw a 100 kilogram man running at me stark naked,” Hall said.
“It was all in fun because all he wanted to do was get a high five. I was a bit reluctant but he got it.”
Hall’s appearance coincides with a special women’s day at Cooke-Murphy Oval to raise funds for Beyond Blue, an organisation that addresses mental health.