Kangaroo recruit Aaron Hall says he is finally getting on top of mystery throat issue

North Melbourne midfielder Aaron Hall has revealed how a mystery health issue left him struggling to breathe and close to fainting during most of his AFL matches across the past 18 months.

Aaron Hall has revealed he has battled a mystery throat issue over the past 18 months. Picture: AAP

North Melbourne’s Aaron Hall has revealed how a serious throat issue left him struggling to breathe and close to fainting during games across the past 18 months.

Speaking to the Herald Sun ahead of today’s Good Friday clash against Essendon, Hall said he had recently been diagnosed with vocal chord dysfunction — an abnormal narrowing of the larynx — which saw him not getting enough oxygen during matches, causing early fatigue.

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Aaron Hall has revealed he has battled a mystery throat issue over the past 18 months. Picture: AAP

He has since been receiving treatment to strengthen his vocal chords, resulting in him feeling fresher in last week’s win over Adelaide.

“It is a really sharp pain down in your throat, you are wheezing and not getting enough oxygen,” Hall, an asthmatic, said of the feelings he couldn’t shake in his last two years with Gold Coast.

“When you go to breathe, your vocal chords expand, and mine don’t when I get fatigued.

“It happens generally in the first quarter and I can’t get enough oxygen and struggle to breathe. I feel like I am going to topple over and faint.”

His condition was a mystery that was only resolved nine days ago, to his great relief.

Hall takes some time out from training to sign autographs for fans. Picture: AAP

“I am so glad we found the problem,” he said.

“AFL footy is already hard enough, let alone going into it not being able to breathe (properly).

“I base my game on my repeat speed and my second and third efforts, that’s my trademark, then when you get to the games, your legs are fine, but you feel like you need to close your eyes and faint.”

Hall has played four games for the Kangaroos since joining the club from Gold Coast at the end of last season.

He is confident the work he is now doing on his breathing will help take his game to the next level.

Hall has added pace and polish to the Roos. Picture: AAP

“It was heaps better last week,” he said of the clash with the Crows, which came only a few days after his diagnosis.

“I’m hoping that continues for the rest of my career now.

“It is like doing rehab for a strained muscle … they have given me new breathing techniques while someone is having a shot on goal; while the bounce of the ball is happening; and while I am on the bench.”

Hall will play in the Good Friday clash for the first time in his 107-game AFL career — even though playing on Good Friday represents a challenge, given his devotion to Christianity.

But the 28-year-old never considered not playing today, and is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Bombers at Marvel Stadium.

“When you are in a professional sporting environment, instead of looking at the politics side of things, I just try to embrace it,” he said.

“I will go about my day (on Good Friday), and on Sunday morning, I’ll take the family to church.

Hall struggled with his breathing for much of his time on the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

“I am a believer. What I appreciated when I first came to the faith was the non-judgemental (aspect), the grace and the love that has come with it. In anything that I am in, I use that to embrace anyone in the world.”

Hall said the Kangaroos are primed for a big performance today, with the group’s chemistry getting stronger by the week.

“We got our season kickstarted (last week),” he said. “We need to take that into the game against Essendon. It really is a big day for the club.”

Originally published as Kangaroo recruit Aaron Hall says he is finally getting on top of mystery throat issue