Barry Hall is confident he can control his infamous temper, admitting his AFL comeback with the Western Bulldogs could otherwise end very badly.

The 32-year-old former Sydney premiership co-captain, who has 611 goals from 250 matches, was granted his wish to join the Bulldogs on Tuesday, on a two-year contract.

The Swans receive national draft pick No.47 in return, along with a yet-to-be-finalised swapping of lower order picks.

It boosts the Dogs' premiership chances enormously, with a talented power forward having been the notable hole in a side that came agonisingly close to making this year's grand final.

The big question is whether Hall can avoid the violent on-field outbursts that ended his Swans' career prematurely, the breaking point a suspension for punching Adelaide's Ben Rutten in round 13.

The burly forward was confident the fresh start would help him.

"I wouldn't put myself in the situation like this or the Bulldogs in this situation if I didn't think I could handle it," Hall said.

"There's always going to be question marks and I'm not going to shy away from that, but I'm going to do my very best to repay the Bulldogs for showing faith in me.

"I can't promise anything ... but I think I can get on top of it.

"It can end very badly if it does happen, I'm very aware of that."

Hall, a former amateur boxer who has toyed with the idea of entering the ring professionally, said he had not wanted to leave the AFL on a sour note.

"It left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, there were rumours about doing other things (boxing) and it just didn't feel right to do that," he said.

"I still reckon I've got a lot to offer football and a lot to offer the Bulldogs, so it was a matter of unfinished business."

While Hall's marking power is the perfect complement to the club's wealth of talented midfielders and small forwards, both he and Eade warned against expecting dramatic results.

"It would be very naive to think that now that the Bulldogs have got a key forward it's going to be easy street," Hall said.

"... I'm just a link in their chain of 22."

Likewise, Eade said the seven-time Swans' leading goal-kicker was just one piece of their attack.

"We don't need a person to come in and kick 70 or 80 goals, that's not Barry's role," he said.

"Barry's role is to fit in to the mix and give us a target at certain times ... if he kicks 30-odd goals, that's fantastic."

The recruitment of Hall has similarities to the Dogs' acquisition of former Brisbane star Jason Akermanis three years ago.

Akermanis also had to quit his previous club partway through a season, in his case due to personality clashes, but has slotted in well with the Dogs.

Eade was confident Hall would also fit in well.

"I think in our environment, with the way we play, there'll be less frustration with his football, there's a whole range of things," he said.

"Obviously Barry said he wants to finish his football on a good note and I think he can offer this club a lot."

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