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Hall 'too attractive' to ignore

By Laine Clark 08/07/2009 02:40:43 PM Comments (0)

Like Ben Cousins, Barry Hall would be "too attractive" for other AFL clubs to ignore, according to Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown.

Boxing appeared to be Hall's next option after only the Western Bulldogs expressed interest in recruiting him following his decision to walk away from the Swans on Tuesday.

But Brown said Hall should "never say never" after once troubled ex-West Coast captain Cousins was snapped up by Richmond this season.

"If he wants to keep playing you would think there would be interest at the end of the season," Brown said.

"It is a bit similar to the Ben Cousins situation - it becomes too attractive for clubs not to go down that track."

Brown was a vocal supporter of Cousins during the midfielder's time in the AFL wilderness and was keen for the Lions to snap up the former Brownlow Medallist this year.

Now he has thrown his weight behind Hall, a player he once mirrored on the field.

Brown's early AFL career was disrupted by fiery on-field antics but the key forward has turned it around to earn the club captaincy and become one of the code's most marketable stars.

Brown said he felt for Hall, who fell on his sword on Tuesday after one brain snap too many.

"No doubt. Unfortunately he has had a couple of brain snaps, and because of his reputation it has been magnified," he said.

"But these days you have to have things in place to keep calm."

Brown said he could understand - but didn't condone - the former premiership-winning Sydney captain's on-field angst.

"These are frustrating times as forwards when a lot of sides are playing zone defences or flooding tactics," he said.

"There are a lot of times the forwards will be outnumbered two on one, which Barry would have had to deal with over the years.

"We don't have a clearer avenue to the ball that we are used to as forwards.

"That was probably where a lot of the frustration (with Hall) lay."

Western Bulldogs have not ruled out picking up Hall and have shown they can rejuvenate a mature player following ex-Lions midfielder Jason Akermanis' success.

"I am sure he still has some good football left in him," Brown said of Hall.

"And who knows (what will happen) after he has time now to walk away and clear his head, get over his niggles."

If Hall's AFL career was indeed over, Brown hoped the ex-Swan would be remembered for the good, not the bad.

"With all the indiscretions over the years, hopefully that pales into insignificance when people look back on his career," he said.

"He has been the catalyst for Sydney's success over the last few years.

"He will be remembered as one of the greats of the game."

Not that Brown - a big boxing fan - didn't want to see Hall throw on the gloves.

"I imagine there would be a fair amount of money to be made in Australia if big Bazza fought," Brown laughed.

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