His memory is understandably blurry, but Brisbane Lions recruit Brent Staker is certain there will be no hard feelings when he lines up against Barry Hall for the first time since "that punch" in 2008.

Staker on Tuesday had trouble remembering the year of Hall's now infamous left hook when inevitably questioned about the horrific incident ahead of Saturday night's AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba.

"It happened in 2008, I think," Staker said in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"But we have different things to worry about now - we are fighting for our career at a new club.

"For Barry and I it is probably not an issue, we just want to get on with footy.

"I spoke to him after the incident but I don't think we have crossed paths since.

"(But)...there is nothing between us. For both of us it would be water under the bridge."

In the corresponding round two years ago, then-Sydney forward Hall copped seven weeks for the ugly swipe on Staker, who was playing for West Coast at the time.

Discipline issues continued to plague Hall, resulting in his switch to the Bulldogs in 2010.

So far, so good for Hall - he has kicked 10 goals for a Bulldogs outfit (2-1 record) that has emerged as one of the premiership favourites.

Not that it has all been plain sailing - the red mist threatened to descend again when Hall threw the ball at Hawthorn's Stephen Gilham last round.

But Hall received praise from an unlikely source for his attitude adjustment at the Bulldogs.

"So far he has been doing a great job," Staker said.

"And he has been good for the Bulldogs structure - on a personal level it (the switch) has been good for him."

While admitting constant questions about the Hall punch could get "a bit annoying", Staker could at least find the funny side of one of the AFL's ugliest chapters.

Asked how they would stop Hall on Saturday night, the former Eagles defender quipped: "I might start at centre half back - that will be our secret weapon."

But a switch back to defence may yet be on the cards if Staker does not start firing in the Lions forward line.

Staker has the league's worst record from set shots after three rounds - an ordinary 0.5.

Not that Staker - who spent seven years at Perth before being traded to Brisbane - needed reminding in a forward line boasting skipper Jonathan Brown (17 goals) and star recruit Brendan Fevola (nine).

"There were some easy set shots and I haven't kicked any of them - it is something I have to keep working on," he said.

"I suppose I have had that word 'potential' floating around me for a few years.

"At times I have been inconsistent. I have a lot to offer but I need to believe in myself a lot more - (but) I think I am on the right track.

"I am having fun up forward."

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