Barry Hall backs Joe Daniher to make the move to Sydney

Barry Hall thrived at Sydney away from Melbourne’s footy bubble and says he’s happy to lend an ear if the Bombers forward is wavering about whether to stay or leave.

Swans premiership captain Barry Hall says Sydney is the perfect place to escape footy’s intense bubble, urging Joe Daniher to make a “selfish” decision for his career.

Hall followed the journey of the AFL’s goals record holder Tony Lockett from St Kilda to Sydney and thrived there with less focus on his every off-field move.

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Hall told the Herald Sun he would be happy to share his wisdom with Daniher, who is clearly assessing his options.

Hall said if Daniher wanted out of Melbourne, Sydney could not be a better place to finish his career.

“I spoke to Tony Lockett before I went there and he was a football player and loved playing football but he couldn’t sit there and watch a full game and I am very much the same,” he said.

“I am not sure what Joey is like but if you want to switch off you can. In Melbourne and Perth it’s in your face all the time.

Essendon forward Joe Daniher is weighing up his options. Picture: AAP

“We are very lucky to be a part of the industry but sometimes you need to get away from stuff and Sydney is the perfect place to do that. I absolutely recommend it.

“(Essendon) go further with him in the side and the impact he has on Essendon is a big one. When he is not there it’s a noticeable difference. Hopefully he gets his injuries right and makes a career decision for him. Don’t worry about anyone else because in these life decisions you have to be selfish and I hope he is.”

Hall played 162 games at Sydney before moving to the Western Bulldogs, but doesn’t regret a thing about his move.

“In Melbourne even when you go to the supermarket to get bread and milk people want to talk to you about footy. It’s fine because people love it but it can be all consuming and you can get away from it in Sydney.

Barry Hall says Sydney is the perfect place to escape the footy bubble. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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“It you are happy outside work commitments you generally play better footy.

“It suited me, it suited Plugger Lockett, it suited players who didn’t have the same profile and their careers flourished. It’s the perfect point to play AFL footy from my point of view and for Joe you can concentrate on your footy, do your work and then drive home and you can switch off.”

Teammate Zach Merrett said on Wednesday Daniher had a decision to make on his future, which would have taken aback Essendon given their confidence he will stay. Daniher could also decide to play on at Essendon next year without signing a contract extension given he is a free agent at the end of 2020.