Sydney Swans coach John Longmire says retiring AFL star Barry Hall should be remembered as one of the club's best players.

Hall spent seven years with the Swans, kicking 467 goals for the club as well as being part of the 2005 premiership-winning team, but his time at the club came to an acrimonious end in 2009.

The star forward announced in July that year he would retire from the club, having come under pressure from then coach Paul Roos following several on-field indiscretions.

He went on to resurrect his career at the Western Bulldogs the following season and he announced on Thursday he would end his long AFL career at the end of the season.

Longmire, who joined the Swans in an off-field role at the same time as Hall arrived from St Kilda, said the 34-year-old should be remembered for the good times he brought to Swans' fans.

"He was here for seven years, two-time all-Australian, premiership captain - a magnificent contribution to the Sydney Swans," Longmire told reporters on Tuesday.

"He's still got a lot of friendships with a lot of people here at the Sydney Swans and we can't speak highly enough of his contribution to this footy club."

The Swans host Hall and the Bulldogs at the SCG on Saturday, and Longmire feels it would be apt that Sydney fans get to farewell their former hero one last time.

"I think it's really fitting that he's able to come here and play this weekend," he said.

But there would be no favours for Hall and the Bulldogs, with Sydney desperate to keep hold of their top-eight status as well as improve on a dismal (3-5) home record this season.

"Both clubs see this as a critical game for them," Longmire said, adding Jude Bolton should be fit for selection in Saturday's clash.

"We're certainly at the point now where we need to make sure we win the game and there's no middle ground with it. Our players understand that and there's a lot at stake."

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