It was just as well Bachar Houli invited two tables full of family and friends to the Richmond Best and Fairest this year.
Richmond’s 2010 pre-season draft recruit didn’t turn up to Crown Palladium anticipating a top-five finish in the Jack Dyer Medal, but by the end of the night, after a whirlwind first season at Tigerland, he was on the stage accepting the Fred Swift Medal for his fourth placing.
“To be honest, it was probably one of the greatest moments of my life,” Houli said.
“Footy is not an individual sport, but to come from another club, play 22 games, and achieve what I did, is hard to describe.
“I’m rapt to be recognised in the top five this year, but I know I haven’t reached my peak yet, and I want to do everything I can to help Richmond achieve success.”
At his former club Essendon, Houli was frustrated by a lack of opportunity, playing four, seven, 10 and five matches in four seasons.
The Tigers needed a rebounding defender with sound decision-making and foot skills, and knew what their target - Houli - could offer them.
As long as he could fit in at his new home, Houli knew he could revitalise his career.
“Feeling welcome is extremely important to me. Credit has to go to the players and the coaching staff and everyone around the Club, who have accepted me as a person,” he said.
“It’s been a great fresh start. I’ve loved every minute I’ve been at Richmond since I moved across.”
Houli played a variety of roles with the Bombers, including a defensive stopper, midfielder and small forward, but in 2011 he found stability across Richmond’s half-back line.
He relished his role as a running defender, combining with the likes of Chris Newman, Brett Deledio and first-year player, Jake Batchelor, to set up numerous attacking thrusts for the Tigers.
He blended into his new role seamlessly, claiming the scalps of the opposition’s most dangerous forwards, gathering his own fair share of the ball (his tally of 463 disposals was the fourth highest at the Club) and even sneaking forward to kick six goals.
“Initially, I came to the Club as an offensive player, but the game has moved forward so quickly that you have to become a better defender than what you are attacking, and that’s one area I’m still improving at,” he said.
“It takes time to get the trust from the coaching staff, but I felt from the day I walked in they had the confidence and belief in me to take the game on and play naturally.”
At just 23 years of age, Houli is a natural leader, and he intends to use those skills to assist the young, developing playing list at Punt Road.
“I’ve been in the system for five years now, and I have to start considering myself as a leader,” he said.
“We have so many players who have played 10, 20 or 30 games, who have shown glimpses of what they’re capable of.
“A big focus for me next year is to guide a few of those guys coming through the ranks.
“I haven’t played 50 games yet, but having been around for a while, you have a sense of direction about where people are heading, and where they can improve.”
