Bachar Houli did not miss a beat in last Thursday night’s season re-opener.

The veteran dashing defender, who missed Richmond’s Round 1 victory over Carlton because of a calf injury, was pivotal for the Tigers in the Round 2 draw with Collingwood.

He finished the match with a team-high 26 disposals, equal team-high eight marks, three tackles, a game-high nine intercepts and 343 metres gained.

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When you consider that Houli was in doubt up until a few days out from the clash, as he fought to overcome the calf complaint, his performance was all the more meritorious.

Houli picked up where he left off last season, when he was runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal, following a superb display in Richmond’s Grand Final triumph over Greater Western Sydney.