Mattner in favour of Hall's return
Sydney Swans defender Martin Mattner says the possible return of Barry Hall for Saturday's clash against the Adelaide Crows would be a major boost for the side.
Hall has served his one-match suspension for attempting to strike Collingwood's Shane Wakelin however his immediate playing future remains in the balance.
The imposing forward is yet to receive clearance from the club's psychologist who declared the Swans star unfit to play after he was slapped with his second AFL imposed ban of the campaign.
But Mattner, who is preparing to face his former club for the first time since defecting to the harbour city this season, is in favour of Hall's return.
"Love to have him back in the side, he's a key part of the team," Mattner said.
"But I guess it's up to the selectors and 'Roosy' (coach Paul Roos) to make that decision."
Of Hall's demeanour in recent days Mattner said: "He's good, he travelled down (to Melbourne) with us on the weekend and it was good for him to I suppose be there and be around the club and show his face."
"He'll be at training today (Tuesday) ... it'd be amazing for him to play but we'll have to wait and see."
Mattner, who has been among the Swans' best all season, admits he is unsure of what awaits him when he meets his former team-mates in the heat of battle at the SCG this weekend.
"It's a bit hard (to know) what to expect but hopefully the win on the weekend will put us in good stead for this week and hopefully we can get momentum going into the finals," Mattner said.
"I'm just going to treat it like another week so I've got no expectations of what's going to happen ... hopefully it's a good game and Sydney get away with the win."
Asked to account for his fine form following his off-season move Mattner reflected:
"I don't think I've changed anything, I think it's just been a new start, fresh faces and something new and something challenging."
"Put all that together and I think it's just got the best out of me this year."
The 26-year-old is expecting few favours from the struggling Crows and warned his team-mates to prepare for a tough assignment.
"They're a good side and I think they're going to bounce back this week and throw a real challenge at us," he said.
"I still think they're going to be a real threat this year and they'll play finals footy I think."
