Jun 29th, 2017

Jun 29th, 2017

Barry Hall and Brent Staker, who were involved one of the most infamous incidents in AFL history, have sat down and spoken for the first in the nine-and-a-half years.

In a preview to an exclusive interview with the AFL Footy Show that will air from 8:30pm AEST on Channel Nine and 9Now, the former Swans and Eagles stars finally discussed the 2008 punch that saw air time all around the globe.

Hall has expressed remorse about the incident in the years following, but the ugly scene of Staker dropping to the turf after copping Hall's fist to the jaw has lived long in the AFL community's memory.

Staker and Hall, who are both retired from football, both admitted to feeling slightly uncomfortable in each other's presence.

Hall said that the fact the incident could have been a lot worse has sunk in.

"There's the one-punch thing getting around now in society, and it happens every weekend. It has to stop because it's dangerous."

He said the precedent worried him the most.

"It bothers me the kids have to watch it as well. It's young kids who have looked up to me and followed my career shouldn't have to watch that."

Staker said he had never sought to watch the video, but such was the notoriety he simply couldn't avoid it.

"In the world of social media, it bobs up when you don't expect it.

"I don't actively look to show anybody. It just somehow finds you every now and then."

Hall said the chance to talk to Staker in person was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I was actually glad we were doing this today because I want to show people that if you end up doing something like that you have to man up, look a bloke in the eye and tell him that it's not acceptable.

"I am thinking of what he goes through now."

The full interview with Brent Staker and Barry Hall will be live on Channel Nine during the AFL Footy Show from 8:30pm AEST