Triple Richmond premiership star defender Bachar Houli shapes as a welcome addition to the Tigers’ line-up for Friday night’s Round 4 clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Houli showed that he had recovered from the severe calf injury he sustained during last year’s Grand Final triumph over Geelong with an impressive display in Richmond’s VFL practice match against Collingwood on Saturday morning.

And Tigers coach Damien Hardwick is looking forward to Houli’s return at senior level.

“He played three quarters, which was always the plan,” Hardwick said.

“You look at the way the game’s played at the moment, it suits Bachar.

“We did um and ah about whether we push the envelope and get him in to play (against Sydney in Round 3), but he just hasn’t done a lot since the Grand Final last year.

“So, it was always going to take a little bit of time, and we think we did the right thing in buying that week and making sure he got through.

“He’ll certainly put his hand up to play next week.”