BARRY Hall is the Western Bulldogs’ gun recruit this season but it turns out he is more a son of the East than the West.

The 194cm forward revealed last week that since his return to Melbourne from the Sydney Swans he had taken up residence in the leafy suburb of Kew and commuted to Whitten Oval for training.

The power forward who kicked five goals in the Bulldogs’ win against the Swans on Saturday said life at the kennel had been enjoyable.

“It’s been great, I think in terms of the football club and embracing it and all that sort of stuff it’s been great – certainly ticked all the boxes there,” he said.

“Getting used to Melbourne that is another story. I don’t really go out much any more it’s pretty hard to have a quiet drink so we leave that to the home environment, that’s a bit different to Sydney. Just got to get used to that a bit more.”

Speaking before the clash with his old side, Hall said he had taken the pressure off himself since the move back to Melbourne.

“I have made a conscious decision not to put that pressure on myself. I am 33 years old now so I can’t expect the best out of myself, if I do I am kidding myself.

“The coaches and the football club have been great in that area, constantly reminding me I just have to do the things that everyone else is expected to do and not kick 10 goals every week.

“When I look back now the expectations were always high on myself in Sydney and that probably didn’t help the frustration levels in Sydney so with that not there any more it is certainly a lot better in terms of being able to control myself on the field.”

Hall said he had no regrets about coming to the Bulldogs, only the events that marred his final season in Sydney.

“There are no regrets ending with Sydney except the incidents at the end that turned my career at Sydney a little bit sour. Off-field everything is going really well. It helps playing football it helps on field and your motivation.”

And to the Bulldogs’ faithful a little concerned about the last few rounds that have seen him a little out of form, Hall said it would take time.

“We always knew with me slotting in to the forward line it was going to take some time.

“If the option is there we always use the option no matter who it is. That has been the theme since day one. I guess the other thing is our inside 50s are down as well we have to lift in that area.”

He revealed he was feeling the “wear and tear” of the AFL season and may be in line for a rest.

“I am not a spring chicken any more and the AFL is just getting quicker.

“The last two or three weeks I have gone in to games sore.”

He may not be a spring chicken but he is certainly becoming a valuable Bulldog.