Australian Football

Extremely diminutive at just 160cm and 64kg, Clarrie Hall was nevertheless a tenacious, skilful and highly effective rover who enjoyed a long and successful career with two clubs. He began with Richmond in the VFA, but after failing to gain a place in the team when it gained admission to the VFL in 1908 he crossed to Prahran.

The Two Blues had tended to struggle during their first few seasons in the Association, but Hall helped them to become competitive, and in 1909 he was a key factor in the side's reaching the VFA premiership decider for the first time. Unfortunately for Hall, Prahran lost to Brunswick by 16 points after having led at every change. The Two Blues went into the match without four of their best players, all of whom had been sacked after the side lost to Brunswick in the semi final.

In 1912, Hall returned to Richmond, and although it took rather longer than at Prahran, he eventually helped the Tigers develop into a force in the VFL. In 1919 they contested their first premiership play-off, losing to Collingwood by 25 points, but in the following year's decider they achieved revenge to the tune of 17 points, with Clarrie Hall a popular choice as best afield. When Richmond went 'back to back' in 1921 with a 5.6 (36) to 4.8 (32) Challenge Final victory over Carlton he was again an important member of the side.

Often at his best when the play was tight and torrid, Clarrie Hall combined with Barney Herbert and Dave Moffatt late in his career to give Richmond one of the finest first ruck combinations seen in the VFL up to that point. When he retired in 1924 he had played a total of 150 senior VFL games for the Tigers, and booted 169 goals.

Author - John Devaney