Barry Hall has announced that he’s played his last game for Sydney. Hall said at a press conference today that in light of the recent event of Hall striking Ben Ruttens face that he would part ways with the Swans, effective immediately.

Hall said the decision to leave had been made with the Swans’ best interests in mind.

“It certainly wasn’t an easy decision but I think looking at the big picture, it’s the right thing to do in terms of the football club, my teammates, my family, my partner, my friends and myself.

“The easiest thing for me to do was just to play on because I think I’m still in pretty good form but over the big scheme of things, if there is an indiscretion again, it could have a more negative effect that what it already has.”

Hall hinted in the media last week that should he leave the Swans a move to another club might be on the cards and is yet to shut the door on his AFL career.

“I don’t want to retire because I feel I still have some good footy left in me, I honestly believe that and my plan at this stage is to be an AFL player in 2010” Hall wrote in his column last week.

Coach Paul Roos paid tribute to the 32-year-old and recognised his football achievements.

“It is definitely a sad day for the Sydney Swans Football Club – one of our greatest ever players has decided to retire – but I also think it must be a time of celebration, to reflect on what has been an outstanding career,” Roos said.

“As his coach for the last six years, I will remember Hally as one of the genuine superstars of the game; his ability to be a match winner enabled him to take us to the level of the 2005 Premiership.

“His consistent performance over those six years has allowed him to be not only a premiership captain, but a club best and fairest, an All-Australian, a life member and a multiple leading goalkicker at this footy club.

The Swans will officially farewell Hall, and give fans the opportunity to say goodbye, at this weekend’s game against Essendon at the SCG. The club will advise exact details when they are organised and confirmed.