Sydney premiership captain Barry Hall’s kids steal the show with viral celebration

The young children of Sydney premiership captain Barry Hall have stolen the show in a viral moment during the Swans’ qualifying final victory.

Sydney shocked everyone to defeat two-time reigning premiers Brisbane despite the absence of the Pullman Five at the SCG on Saturday in an emotion-charged victory.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Barry Hall’s son steals the show with celebration

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow

But no one showed more passion and emotion than Hall’s kids, who were pictured celebrating in the stands half-way through the second quarter.

The former St Kilda, Sydney and Western Bulldogs full forward could only laugh as his son took his Swans guernsey off and waved it over his head, akin to the way former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy did it so iconically in 1993.

“I’m not sure if Barry’s happy with it or upset. Just go for it, happy to see him celebrate,” Joel Selwood said on Channel 7.

Luke Hodge added: “I reckon Barry’s rapt with that. Look at the smile on his face.”

One of the two boys was happy celebrating by himself despite the ball sitting in a completely neutral part of the ground, but his brother soon got involved too when they were shown on the big screen at the ground and on Seven’s broadcast.

Vision of the moment quickly went viral online.

Barry Hall’s kids celebrating the Swans’ dominance. Credit: Channel 7

Hall played 162 of his 289 AFL games for the Swans, captaining their 2005 premiership.

He kicked 746 goals in his career across three clubs, was named in the All-Australian team four times, and is an Australian Football Hall of Fame member.

In the mid 2000s, Hall’s Swans had a famous rivalry with the West Coast Eagles, who were led in the ruck by Dean Cox.

Cox is now at the helm of the Swans as coach, and wants the world to remember their story isn’t finished, despite the tumultuous few weeks preceding this finals series.

He also wants his players to remember that too, urging the understrength outfit to bottle the energy from their 53-point qualifying final triumph.

The Swans will host a preliminary final at the SCG against either Fremantle or Geelong after stunning back-to-back premiers Brisbane.

It is a significant step in their improbable premiership push, despite many critics having already ruled the second-ranked Swans out of flag contention after five player suspensions.

Dean Cox and midfield gun James Rowbottom celebrate the Swans’ win, but know the job’s not done yet. Credit: AAP

Key players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey are among the five serving club-imposed bans.

Even club chairman Andrew Pridham conceded the Swans‘ chances had been “torpedoed” in the fallout from events at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel last month.

And Sydney are now bracing to continue their finals campaign — as well as a large portion of next season — without captain Callum Mills.

The defender’s right knee gave way in the first quarter on Saturday as he attempted to corral Lions ball-carrier Will Ashcroft near the boundary line.

With a fortnight to prepare for a preliminary final, Swans coach Cox — who admitted the win was partly motivated by being written off by many in the media — says his side has to harness their momentum.

“We have to. The story’s not finished yet for our season,” Cox said.

“We need to make sure that we understand what makes us play good footy.

“I still had the belief in the playing group that we were capable of putting in a performance like that.”

All cylinders of the Swans machine fired despite major absences, with Errol Gulden calling the shots in the engine room as Harry Cunningham directed the defence.

How the AFL finals are shaping up ahead of the semi-finals. Credit: 7AFL

Logan McDonald may have led with six goals, but Sydney enjoyed an even contribution from their forward line, with Charlie Curnow and Tom Papley slotting five each.

Sydney’s youngsters also held their own against the vastly experienced Lions side, with Harry Kyle pulling off an inspirational run-down tackle.

Every Lions player fielded against the Swans had played at least 50 AFL matches.

Cox said the win felt like the most complete four-quarter performance in his tenure.

“Yeah, probably with the quality of opposition that we were playing and the ability of the match-winners that they have all over the ground,” Cox said.

“I was really proud when we’ve got some of the young kids that come into our football team to be able to execute the roles they had to play at the right time.

“We always had faith in some of the talent on our list and youth we had.”

Tall forward Hayden McLean’s three-goal haul is set to further complicate Cox’s selection call, with Joel Amartey (Achilles) nearing full fitness.

Star winger Justin McInerney is also expected to return from a hamstring strain.

“They should both be available … and that’ll be a decision, like we do every week,” Cox said.

“We’ll pick the best team to beat the team that we play against. That won’t change.” 

With AAP