FORWARD Barry Hall is confident the Western Bulldogs can emulate the 2005 efforts of his former club and roll St Kilda in a preliminary final.
Hall was a key part of the Sydney Swans team that scraped past Geelong in week two of the '05 finals series, then beat the Saints seven days later.
The Swans' unlikely charge didn't end there, as they broke a 72-year premiership drought with a four-point victory over West Coast in a famous grand final.
With a mounting injury toll, the Bulldogs will need to pull off a similar shock if they're to win this year's flag, but Hall is buoyant about their chances.
"St Kilda are red-hot favourites, and no one really expects us to win, but we'll give it a good shake. It's a two-horse race after all," he told afl.com.au shortly after being named in a forward pocket in the All Australian team on Monday night.
"I think there's probably fair bit of pressure on St Kilda and none on us, which is handy.
"We've just got to go out and throw everything at them and see what happens."
Hall was among the Bulldogs' best players as they rallied from five goals down to beat the Swans in last Saturday's semi-final at the MCG.
"The way we fought back showed a lot of character," he said.
"In the last five minutes of the second quarter, when we kicked the goals that got us back into the game, there was a totally different feeling out on the ground.
"If we can carry that into Saturday night, then who knows? We could do anything."
Hall capped what has been a remarkable season by gaining selection in the All Australian team for the fourth time. He was also chosen in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Thrown a career lifeline by the Dogs in last year's exchange period, the 33-year-old kicked 75 goals from the 22 home-and-away rounds.
"It's something I didn't really expect, but I'd like to thank the selectors for giving me this honour," Hall said.
"It certainly is a bit surprising. I didn't think I'd be back here, but I'm glad I am.
"I guess you're always going to get knockers and doubters. I'm just glad the Western Bulldogs put a bit of faith in me, because if they didn't I wouldn't be playing football and I wouldn't have had such a great year.
"All the thanks goes to the club."
